Rule 5:19-1.Establishment of Venue; Change of Venue
Last amended September 1, 2006 · Current through September 1, 2026 · Last verified September 8, 2026
Full Text of Rule 5:19-1
Amendment History
New Jersey publishes each rule’s amendment record in a “Note” beneath the rule. It is reproduced verbatim below; a “Source” line names the former rule the current one grew out of, and “R. (1969)” citations refer to the earlier numbering it replaced.
Note: Source -- R. (1969) 5:3-1(a) and (b). Adopted December 20, 1983, to be effective December 31, 1983; amended June 29, 1990 to be effective September 4, 1990; amended and redesignated as paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) July 10, 1998 to be effective September 1, 1998; caption amended, former text deleted in full, and new captions and text adopted for paragraphs (a) and (b) July 27, 2006 to be effective September 1, 2006.
Plain-English Summary
Two counties can have a claim on a delinquency case: where the incident occurred and where the juvenile lives. The rule starts with the first and then reverses it. Complaints are filed where the incident allegedly occurred, but where the juvenile is domiciled elsewhere, venue is laid in the county of domicile unless the court finds good cause to keep it where the incident happened.
The default favours the child's home county, which is where their family, school and any services are. Multiple defendants complicate that, so the rule builds in notice: the Family Division Manager or designee in the filing county immediately notifies the county prosecutor and any attorney of record of the intent to transfer, and any objection goes to the court in the filing county within five days of that notice.
Change of venue afterwards is separate and open-ended. Except where venue was already established by the court on an objection under the notice procedure, a motion may be made at any time — to the Family Presiding Judge or designee in the county where the matter is currently venued, on notice to the other party. Venue is retained unless the court finds good cause to change it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is a juvenile delinquency complaint filed in New Jersey?
In the county where the incident giving rise to the complaint allegedly occurred — but where the juvenile is domiciled in a different county, venue is laid in the county of domicile unless the court finds good cause to retain it.
How long do I have to object to a transfer of venue?
Within five days of the notice, made to the court in the county where the complaint was filed.
Can venue be changed later?
Yes. Except where venue was established on an objection under paragraph (a)(2), a motion for change of venue may be made at any time to the Family Presiding Judge or designee in the county where the matter is currently venued.