Rule 7:7-1 Pleadings; Objections

In municipal court, the only formal paperwork that starts a case is the complaint. There are no lengthy back-and-forth legal filings like in higher courts.

If you have a defense or objection that can be decided without going to trial, you need to bring it up before the trial starts by filing a motion to dismiss or another appropriate motion. For example, if you believe the court has no right to hear your case, or that a local ordinance is unconstitutional, you can raise those issues at any point during the case, even after the trial has begun.