Ocean County Restraining Order

Ocean County Restraining Order

Where to apply for a domestic violence restraining order in Ocean County

Where to Apply for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order in Ocean County? During the coronavirus pandemic, access to the courthouse has been limited. Applying for a domestic violence restraining order in Ocean County was a challenge. Fortunately, Ocean County judges and court staff have worked to make it easier to seek a domestic violence restraining order. Learn more about the resources for filing a restraining order in Ocean County, including police departments, the Ocean County Justice Complex, and remote domestic violence restraining order hearings.

During the coronavirus pandemic access to the courthouse has been limited.  applying for a domestic violence restraining order in Ocean County was a challenge.  Fortunately, our Ocean County judges, and Court staff have worked miracles.  Now, there are multiple paths to seeking a domestic violence restraining order in Ocean County.

Resources for seeking a domestic violence restraining order in Ocean County

Ocean County police departments are highly trained in domestic violence restraining order matters. The local and State Police are first on the scene of a domestic violence incident.  Simultaneously, an alleged victim of domestic violence can seek a restraining order in Ocean County by walking into a local police department.

Domestic violence restraining order in Ocean County – speaking to the judge

Normally, the police will perform a summary investigation of allegations of domestic violence in Ocean County.  interview the alleged victim. Likewise, interview the alleged defendant. Once a reasonable need for protection is established, the police will contact a judge. On a recorded line, you will summarize your story for the judge.  Our Ocean County judges are on duty 24 hours per day to handle emergency domestic violence restraining orders.

 generally, the judge will grant or deny a temporary domestic violence restraining order on the telephone.

Resources for contacting the police in Ocean County 

1. Bay Head Police Department, 83 Bridge Avenue, Bay Head, New Jersey, 732-892-0632
2. Barnegat Township Police Department, 900 West Bay Avenue, Barnegat, NJ 08005, 609-698-5000
3. Barnegat Light Boro – contracted through Long Beach Township Police Department – see below
4. Beach Haven Police, 300 Engleside Ave., Beach Haven, NJ 08008, 609-492-0505
5. Beachwood Police, 1600 Pinewald Road, Beachwood, NJ 08722, 732-341-1249
6. Berkeley Township Police Department, 627 Pinewald-Keswick Road, Bayville NJ 08721 Phone (732) 341-1132
7. Brick Township Police Department, 401 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick Township, NJ 08723, Phone 732-262-1100
8. Eagleswood Borough – via  NJ State Police – Troop C, Tuckerton Station, 399 Main Street, West Creek, NJ 08092, (609) 296-3132
9. Harvey Cedars Police, 7606 Long Beach Blvd, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008, 609-494-6509
10. Island Heights Police,  One East End Avenue, Island Heights, NJ 08732, (732) 270-3000
11. Jackson Township Police Department, 102 Jackson Drive, Jackson, NJ 08527, 732-928-1111
12. Lacey Township Police Department, 808 Lacey Rd, Forked River, NJ 08731, 609-693-6636
13. Lakehurst Boro Police, 530 Union Ave, Lakehurst, NJ 08733, 732-657-7811
14.  Lakewood Township Police Department, 231 3rd St, Lakewood, NJ 08701, 732-363-0200
15. Lavallette Police, 1306 Grand Central Ave, Lavallette, NJ 08735, 732-793-4800
16. Little Egg Harbor Police Department, 665 Radio Rd, Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08087, 609-296-7241
17. Long Beach Township Police Department, 6805 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach Township, NJ 08008, 609-494-3322
18. Manchester Township Police Department, 1 Colonial Drive, Manchester, NJ 08759-3898, 732-657-6111
19. Mantoloking Police Department, 202 Downer Ave, Mantoloking, NJ 08738, 732.295.1465
20. Ocean Township Police, 50 Railroad Ave UNIT 2, Waretown, NJ 08758, (609) 693-4007
21. Ocean Gate – 911
22. Pine Beach Boro Police, 599 Pennsylvania Ave., Pine Beach, NJ 08741, 732-341-2616 
23. Plumsted Police Department, Plumsted Police Station, 2 Cedar St., New Egypt, NJ 08533, (609) 758-7185
24. Point Pleasant Boro Police, 2233 Bridge Avenue, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742, (732) 892-0060
25. Point Pleasant Beach Police, 416 New Jersey Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, 732-892-0500
26. Seaside Heights Police Department, 116 Sherman Ave, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751, 732.793.1800
27. Seaside Park Police Department, 1 Municipal Plaza, Seaside Park, NJ 08752, 732.793.8000
28. Ship Bottom Police Department, 1621 Long Beach Boulevard
29. Ship Bottom, New Jersey 08008, (609) 494-1518
30. South Toms River Police, 19 Double Trouble Rd, Toms River, NJ 08757, 732.349.0313
31. Stafford Township Police Department, 260 E Bay Ave, Manahawkin, NJ 08050, 609.597.8581
32. Surf City Boro Police Department, 813 Long Beach Blvd, Surf City, NJ 08008, 609.494.8121
33. Toms River Township Police Department, 255 Oak Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753, 732-349-0150
34. Tuckerton Boro Police Department,420 East Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087, 609 296-9416

Telephone numbers for the police departments are provided as a convenience. Obviously, in the case of emergency dial 911. Share your address and location with the 911 dispatcher.

Be aware, smaller police departments may share communication duties.

Additionally, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department May dispatch certain police departments. Some police departments are exclusively dispatched by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. Others may utilize the countywide dispatch system for after-hours calls. 

Walk-in domestic violence restraining orders in Ocean County

As the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 lifted, the Superior Court, Ocean County Justice complex opened.  On a limited basis, alleged victims of domestic violence in Ocean County may walk into the Maine Justice complex building. Best practices – call the Ocean County Domestic Violence office (732) 929-2179 or send an email [email protected].

Be bold

If you do not get a quick response, contact your local police department or present yourself at the Ocean County Justice Complex, 120 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753. 

In the New Jersey Superior Court, domestic violence matters are handled in the family court. Family law judges coordinated by the domestic violence staff adjudicate temporary and final restraining orders. Ocean County Family Court Management.

Remote domestic violence restraining order hearings

New Jersey courts handled thousands of domestic violence matters during the coronavirus lockdown.  Domestic violence is an emergency matter in the eyes of the New Jersey Superior Court.  Hence, the court adapted to adjudicating cases via video conference – very quickly.

Likely, your domestic violence restraining order hearing will be handled via video conference. Domestic Violence – Consequences.

Safety First – the New Jersey Supreme Court allowed domestic violence hearings to proceed via video conference.  As a result, thousands of cases have been resolved. best practices include:

• testify alone
•  ensure your device is charged
•  keep your device still
•  submit your evidence in advance
•  log on to the video conference 10 minutes early
•  manage lighting so you do not look like an alien
•  speak clearly and at a reasonable pace
•  maintain reasonable eye contact
•  don’t be afraid of the other side – they cannot reach you through video conference and everything is recorded
•  and – do not separately record the hearing, you may be charged with a crime. 

Be safe and healthy.

Jeff J. Horn – Ocean County Domestic Violence Attorney