Came here multiples times over the years for couples getting married. I came either as Witness or…read moreas a family member/friend to support the happy couple. I even came here for my own Civil Marriage Ceremony with hubby- always a 2 day process. A few days in advance to get the marriage license to get it started in the system and then finally actual day to get the marriage ceremony. The policy states "once you obtain your Marriage License, you must wait a full 24 hours before your Marriage Ceremony can be performed unless you obtain a Judicial Waiver." There is generally a long line outside to get into the building, and then line to the reception and then waiting for your number to be call (like at DMV) to sign & pay the fee, and then more waiting for the chapel and then to get into the chapel. The last time I came was for my sister-in-law before COVID 2/20/2020- because it was such a lucky date? There were many couples there in the freezing cold. We waited over an hour outside just to get into the building to the reception. Another 30-40 minute until we got into the chapel. We didn't like the officiant for my sister-in-law's ceremony as she spoke monotone and she was the officiant in the other room. We were called to line up for Room#2 but it was the officiant of Room #1 that called us in. We were surprised because everyone that is on proper line for the rooms were always called into the proper rooms. We had to zig-zag, cross to the other side and skipped the couple infront of Room Door #1. Maybe they switched paperwork because we were Chinese and Room#1 officiant is Chinese (if yes, that maybe is racist?). The officiant's voice ruin the ceremony and was pretty much what everyone talked about afterward. She sound like a monotone robot with no emotions.

Staff once you get in are friendly. Security staff and…read morethose at the front are unnecessarily hostile and rude. God forbid you would want to ask a question. Damn if you're so miserable look for a different job!

This place is beautiful! Worth taking a little walk through of history. The details in the ceilings…read moreand fixtures are amazing.

The main courthouse is centrally located in downtown Somerville on 20 North Bridge Street. There…read moreare plenty of places across the street to grab a sandwich, or get a cup of coffee. The court itself has a new wing and an historic wing. . The Old Historic Wing is just off the main corridor. Once inside you can see all the beauty from yesteryear. There are gold columns, and ornate carvings. There is so much history and character. There are several metered lots to park in. I prefer lot # 7 off of High Street. Make sure you bring plenty of quarters. It's 50 cents per hour. If attending court, it could take hours. I would suggest minimum of 4 hrs. Otherwise,you will have to walk back and put in more money to avoid getting a ticket. I would suggest arriving 15-20 minutes before your court time. There is usually some type of sign in and each floor has seating. I've been coming here for 4 years now, Domestic Violence, Divorce, and Child Support/ Alimony non payments I've had quite a bit of ups and downs because each department is run differently and communication is not the best with each other. Always make a copy of everything you submit to the court. Paperwork gets easily lost. If you mail it send it return receipt . The security personnel are very professional and friendly when asked a question and do a great job! They are very strict with cell phone use, and no photos or taping is allowed. Somerset County Courthouse is very over crowded. There aren't enough judges to hear all the cases and it can take months to get a court date with a judge. Seating in the different courtrooms are packed so sometimes plaintiffs and defendants are seated near each other or out in the halls. If you are handicapped or need assistance please call ahead and make special arrangements. There is also a full time interpreter for people who speak Spanish. The court is very good with this. When it comes to domestic violence there needs to be more training. The staff and the court really don't understand what truly goes on, and in my case really did more harm then good. There should be several domestic violence advocates, and counselors on the premises at all times to help battered women. Judges shouldn't allow the victims to be re-victimized and be put on trial and made to relive the nightmares all over again. There truly needs to be stricter enforcement when both parties sign a settlement agreement which supersedes the court order. If one parent doesn't follow it then there should be swift and immediate action. Otherwise, why bother having a settlement agreement. The only way to correct this is to file a $50 motion for each dispute, and wait for another trial.. Motions are costly and take way too long to get results which leave a lot of mom's helpless , homeless, and broken. If you have any problems at the courthouse contact the Ombudsman . ( In the Judiciary, the ombudsman is a neutral staff person who answers questions, addresses concerns from the public and is responsible for enhancing customer service in the courts. The ombudsman provides a bridge between the courts and the community, to enhance public access and improve customer service.)

County Clerk's office: perfectly on time for my appointment. Helped with all the various paperwork,…read morefriendly staff even pointed out how I could do some things myself and save significant money. A really polite staff made the experience simple and actually took way less time than I expected.

Well haven't been here in quite awhile. Family court for all your divorce, child support,visitation…read moremediation and other family related issues. This is the place to go in Middlesex County. They do have a large parking garage, but it has gotten very expensive. If you can find parking on the street with the meters which they block off on occasion go for it. Also if you have to be there at 8 or 9 am be prepared to be there awhile as sometimes each case takes longer than some. If you're there still by 12:30-1 bring lunch or find a place to eat bc you will be there longer. They're usually efficient but sometimes things take longer. There are guards/cops and a metal detector before you can go further, be prepared to empty pockets. The cops are helpful if you don't know where to go, just ask. I'd say great check in, but not a place you want to be in regular basis bc duh..court. Get their early for parking but not too early so you're not broke by the parking garage fee. They also do not validate parking anymore.

They lost my paperwork and then they told me they would mail it to me instead. They said that I…read morewould have it in the mail in a few days. Over a month has passed and I have called every other day to see why I still haven't gotten my paperwork. They keep telling me that they will call me back and they will mail it that day.... they never called me back and I am still waiting for the letter. This place is a joke. There is no justice. Also judge brown didn't even read my divorce decree...he screwed me for $26,000! If you can go to another courthouse I suggest you do because this place doesn't get back to you and the judges don't read their dockets they just wave them through. I Would love to have a job making tons of money where I do absolutely nothing and screw with people's lives.

I have received a summons for jury duty which is never a problem as I'm happy to do it. What makes…read morethis quadrennial cattle call different is everything from reporting to selection will now be done via Zoom. I have the tech so it's not much of an imposition however, what if you don't have the tech and the required laptop and camera? This state sanctioned methodology simply exacerbates the socioeconomic "digital divide" and seems a bit onerous and disenfranchising to the less affluent and/or less tech savvy citizens who, in my reading of the ancient parchments, have every right to sit on a jury. In the email explaining the process, Middlesex County (NJ) just assumes everyone's wired with no obvious recourse if you're not. As government has taught us numerous times over the years, every new foray into public sector technology always ends in a shambles or damn close to it. We'll see. I'll know more when I "report" in on Monday but this approach seems troubling and carries a raft of unintended consequences. One star until proven otherwise.

I was treated very nice and kindly THERE my matter was taken care of perfessionly, the Lawyer was…read moreGreat and the Judge listened to TO MY STORY.. She let me speak,Cry Express my feelings. I was very grateful for that. I asked her to help my nephew although I was WAS the one sent him to jail and filed the restraining order I wanted him to get help cause he wasn't taken his medicine the drugs was making him crazy and he was already diagnosed Paranoid sicofranic. Anyway THE JUDGE HEARD BOTH SIDES AND GRANTED My wish she sent my nephew to a PSYCHIATRIST CENTER AND HE'S GETTING THE HELP NEEDED FINALLY. So I thank the court system.

I want to thank the people who work there! They help me with my divorce in every possible way!…read moreAll employees are super polite and knowledgeable!

Went on a *SATURDAY* to get passports for my 3 kids. The lady helping us was on fire! Like a…read moremachine! She sped us through the process and it was so easy. You do have to enter via Orange Street on the weekends and walk down a pathway. But it was such a great experience compared to a post office!

Case was continued without being heard. after waiting in the courtroom for 6 hours it was revealed…read morea third party had been recording. Following the removal of the third party, the entire case was continued and everyone was asked to leave. Its completely unreasonable for a third party to cause a "continuance" which really felt more like a dismissal since we never got called to speak. completely unfair place with pushy rude police officers. avoid at all costs. Zero stars.

The courts around Foley Square are composed of several stately and imposing government buildings…read morewith neoclassical elements, including the New York County Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall US Federal Court, David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building, Louis J. Lefkowitz State Office Building, US Court of International Trade, Jacob K. Javits Federal Building and Surrogate's Court of New York County. The Supreme Court building is just like you may have seen on TV or in movies*, tall Corinthian columns with a short flight of stairs leading up to the front entrance. Architect Guy Lowell won the contest for design on the building in 1913, its exterior modeled after a Roman temple, and work started 1919, with initial intent to be a circular building. Due to WWI, the plans downsized to a smaller hexagonal structure with a rotunda, and completed in 1927. The court is open to the public 9am-5pm when there are cases proceeding and you are able to sit in, though I have not personally done this before. A security scan/metal detector is required when entering the building. Free tours are available to those interested in learning more about the judicial system, more info available here: https://ww2.nycourts.gov/courts/1jd/supctmanh/Court_tours2.shtml A main point of interest inside is the circular wall mural "Law Through the Ages" in the rotunda, designed by Italian artist Attilio Pusterla and painted between 1934 and 1936. It's divided into six sections depicting pairs of historical figures important to the history of Western law: Assyrian / Egyptian, Hebraic / Persian, Greek / Roman, Byzantine / Frankish, English / early colonial, with the final section portraying George Washington / Abraham Lincoln. Above the seated figures are portraits of six lawgivers: Hammurabi, Moses, Solon, Justinian, Blackstone and John Marshall. *These include most famously: - Miracle on 34th Street (1947) - 12 Angry Men (1957) - The Godfather (1972) - Goodfellas (1990) - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) - Night Court, television series - Law & Order and its many spinoffs - Cagney & Lacey - Damages - Blue Bloods - Suits, television series

New York County Supreme Court appears to be a well oiled machine. There's stiff penalties for not…read moregoing to Jury Duty. I've been called over and over in my life. If I get to the point where I am selected for a case I am dismissed by the attorney and one time the judge. My health just doesn't allow for inconsistency in my eating habits and I often can't focus or think straight because of my blood sugar. I found if I obtained a doctors statement with my diagnosis I could ask for permanent excusal. That's what I did. I still have anxiety that I will be called once more. The security at this courthouse is more stringent than an airport. You are sitting in close contact to other potential jurors. Everything is a process including names being called and individuals being questioned. If you are lucky you are dismissed after a day. Usually three days of the agony is the most. When you are excused you don't need to return for Four Years. There it is in a nutshell. You're very welcome......

Day 2 of my trial and I had to post a glowing review about the Courthouse Cafeteria. All these…read moreyears coming here and I never knew there was a fantastic cafeteria in this building as opposed to the small pop up sort in the dungeons of the other building. I had the freshest most delicious salad yesterday here! I guess it makes sense they have a lot of turnover. Everything that is hot looks amazing and fresh. The salads and cold cuts are all fresh. I highly recommend this!

There comes a time when some of us are summoned to do our civic duty as potential jurors in a civil…read morecase. Today was my day at the Bergen County Courthouse located in Hackensack, where I was able to see its interior beauty. Designed by architect James Reilly Gordon ca. 1911, this courthouse is a fine example of the Beaux Arts style, reflecting monuments of classical Rome and the Italian Renaissance. The building is capped by a copper-coated dome with a cupola and surmounted by a statue. The interior dome of the rotunda area of the courthouse is modeled after the Pantheon in Rome and topped with Tiffany-stained glass. Since this building is rich with history, if you get a chance to be inside, go to the 2nd floor and follow the sign to the rotunda.