Deciding Legal Disputes in New Jersey

The Two Major Legal Systems in New Jersey

There are two major legal systems in New Jersey: The New Jersey State Legal System and the Federal Legal System.

The New Jersey State Legal System

Cases involving New Jersey State law are usually decided in the New Jersey State Legal System. Within the NJ State Legal System, there are two places where legal disputes are decided:

• NJ State Courts and
  
  
• NJ State Administrative Agencies.

Each of these places follows different rules and procedures to decide legal disputes.

The Kinds of Cases That May Be Decided by New Jersey State Courts. Cases that would be decided in the NJ State Courts include:

• Evictions
  
  
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  
  
• Domestic Violence
  
  
• Custody or Visitation Orders
  
  
  • Modifying (changing) a Custody or Visitation Order
    
    
  • Enforcing a Custody or Visitation Order
    
    
• Child Support Orders
  
  
  • Modifying a Child Support Order
    
    
  • Enforcing a Child Support Order
    
    
• Divorce
  
  
• Name Changes
  
  
• Collection of Unpaid Bills
  
  
• Foreclosure
  
  
• Guardianship
  
  
• Cases involving the Division of Youth and Family Services (“DYFS”)
  
  
• Adoption
  
  
• Serious Crimes
  
  
• Clearing a State Criminal Record (Expunging a State Criminal Record)

View more information about New Jersey State Courts

The Kinds of Cases That May Be Decided by New Jersey Administrative Agencies. Cases that would be decided by NJ State Administrative Agencies include those involving:

• Welfare
  
  
  • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
    
    
  • General Assistance (GA)
    
    
  • Getting Help When Welfare Benefits Are Reduced (lowered) or Terminated (cut off)
    
    
• Food Stamps
  
  
  • Getting Help When Food Stamps Are Reduced or Terminated
    
    
• Medicaid or Medicare
  
  
  • Getting Help When Medicaid or Medicare Benefits Are Reduced or Terminated
    
    
• Unemployment Insurance Benefits
  
  
  • Getting Help When Unemployment Insurance Benefits Are Reduced or Terminated
    
    
• Special Education Services or Getting Help when Special Education Services Are Denied or Terminated

View more information about New Jersey State Administrative Agencies

The Federal Legal System

Cases involving federal law are usually decided in the Federal Legal System. Within the Federal Legal System, there are two places where cases are decided:

• Federal Courts and
  
  
• Federal Administrative Agencies.

Each of these places follows different rules and procedures to decide legal disputes.

The Kinds of Cases That May Be Decided by Federal Courts. Cases that may be decided by Federal Courts include those involving:

• Bankruptcy
  
  
• Federal tax laws
  
  
• Employment disputes that violate federal laws, such as the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Family Leave Act
  
  
• The U.S. Constitution, such as discrimination and violations of civil rights.

View more information about the Federal Courts

The Kinds of Cases That May Be Decided by Federal Administrative Agencies. Cases that would be decided in the Federal Administrative Agencies include:

• Immigration Cases
  
  
• Social Security Cases.

View more information about Federal Administrative Agencies