The Judiciary, or court system, is one of the three branches of state government in New Jersey. The two others are the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch.
Courts are the most visible part of our legal system.
Each year, about seven million new cases are filed in New Jersey's Courts. These cases involve everything from education, the environment, wills, crimes, contracts and car accidents to health care, taxes, adoptions, divorces, defective products, and our basic rights as Americans, such as the freedom of speech. The decisions that are made in our courts influence our lives in countless ways. This is an overview of the court system in New Jersey - what its job is, how it works and how it serves the public and society. Also included are tips on how to find a court opinion, or the written explanation of a court's decision in a case, in a law book.