Hackensack is the Bergen County seat, so when a legal matter lands in Bergen County state court, it usually lands here. Whether you have a court date, a jury summons, or a first meeting with a lawyer downtown, this guide covers where the Bergen County Justice Center is, how to get there, what to expect when you arrive, and how to compare lawyers before you call.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Why Hackensack is Bergen County's legal hub
The county seat
The Bergen County Justice Center sits at 10 Main Street in downtown Hackensack. It houses the Superior Court for Bergen County, along with county offices such as the County Clerk, the Prosecutor, and the Sheriff. Many of the law offices in our Hackensack lineup have addresses on or near Main Street, a short walk from the courthouse.
Visiting the Justice Center
Entrances, security, and hours
The public entrances face Hudson Street and Court Street. Security screening is required each time you enter or re-enter the complex, and knives, firearms, and other dangerous items aren't allowed, so leave them at home and give yourself a few extra minutes at the door.
NJ Courts and the Bergen County Sheriff's Office list courthouse hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Your court notice is the best guide to where and when you need to be, so check it before you go.
Parking and jury duty
The Sheriff's Office says parking for visitors and jurors is at the Court Street lot. NJ Courts lists the public garage at 55 Court Street, right next to the courthouse, and says jurors park free when they bring their ticket in to be validated. Other visitors pay the posted rate.
If you've been summoned for jury duty, follow the reporting instructions on your summons and on the NJ Courts Bergen County jury reporting page. They tell you which entrance to use, where to report, and whether your group needs to come in that day.
Getting there by transit
Bus and rail
You don't need a car to reach the Justice Center. According to the Sheriff's Office, NJ Transit bus #165 stops outside the Hudson Street entrance. The Hackensack Bus Terminal on River Street is a short walk from the courthouse, and NJ Transit's Pascack Valley Line stops at both Essex Street and Anderson Street stations in Hackensack.
Driving in? Leave time for downtown traffic and the walk from the garage, especially on a morning when you're due in a courtroom.
Federal matters
Where federal cases go
There's no federal courthouse in Hackensack. The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey sits in three places: Newark, Trenton, and Camden. Newark is the closest location, and the Newark courthouse handles federal cases from Bergen County. If your matter is in federal court, check your paperwork or the court's website to confirm where you need to go.
Choosing a lawyer
Start with your type of matter
Lawyers tend to focus on certain kinds of work, so begin by naming what you're dealing with. A few common examples:
- Family: divorce, custody, support, or a prenuptial agreement
- Injury: a car accident, a fall, or an injury at work
- Employment: a firing, a workplace dispute, or unpaid wages
- Criminal: charges, DWI, or traffic matters
- Immigration: family-based petitions, green cards, or citizenship
- Real estate: a home purchase, a sale, or a closing
These are examples only. Many matters overlap, and a lawyer can tell you which area yours falls under.
How to compare
Once you have a short list, compare:
- Experience with your type of matter
- Office location, especially if you'll be visiting more than once
- Languages spoken, if you'd be more comfortable in a language other than English
- Licensing: confirm the lawyer is licensed to practice in New Jersey
Ask how fees work, too. Arrangements vary from office to office, so get the answer directly from the lawyer. If you can, talk with more than one before you decide.
What to bring to a first meeting
Bring a short timeline of what happened, with dates; any related letters, notices, contracts, or court papers; and a written list of questions so nothing slips your mind.
When you're ready, compare Hackensack lawyers on NJ Business Directory.
How NJ Business Directory helps
NJ Business Directory is a human-curated directory of New Jersey businesses, and every listing is reviewed before it goes live. When you're looking for a lawyer, you can:
- See our Best Lawyers in Hackensack, NJ page, a lineup where every pick is checked against the business's own website. We never copy reviews or ratings from other sites.
- Browse all lawyers in Hackensack, or narrow to family and divorce lawyers, criminal defense and DWI lawyers, or real estate lawyers in Hackensack.
- Find local businesses in Hackensack, widen your search to Bergen County businesses, browse lawyers and legal services across NJ, or search the directory.
A few Hackensack law offices to know
Here are a handful of offices from our Hackensack lineup, chosen to show a range of practice areas. Details come from their own websites. It's a starting point, not a ranking or a recommendation, so browse the full lineup to see more.
Deutsch Atkins, P.C. From its office at 21 Main Street, this employment law firm represents employees in matters such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and severance. Its site says it also advises employers on their obligations to workers.
Moskowitz Law Group, LLC This divorce and family law firm at 25 Main Street handles divorce, custody, child support, alimony, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Its practice list includes Hebrew-speaking divorce.
Kathryn A. Gilbert A family lawyer and mediator with an office at 55 State Street, Kathryn A. Gilbert offers litigation, mediation, and collaborative divorce, and her site lists custody, support, and prenuptial agreements among her practice areas.
Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq, P.C. This personal injury firm has a Hackensack office at 9 Kansas Street among several New Jersey locations. Its practice areas include car accidents, slip-and-fall cases, workers' compensation, and medical malpractice, and its site is available in English and Spanish.
Law Offices of Ron Bar-Nadav On the third floor of 58-60 Main Street, this criminal defense practice handles matters such as drug charges, assault, domestic violence, and DWI for people accused of crimes in New Jersey.
William J. Quirk, Esq., LLC This law office at 354 State Street focuses on criminal defense and immigration, including DWI and traffic matters, family-based immigration, and naturalization. Its site notes that Spanish is spoken.
Practice areas, staff, and policies change, so check each office's own website before you reach out.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Bergen County courthouse? The Bergen County Justice Center is at 10 Main Street, Hackensack. Public entrances are on Hudson Street and Court Street.
What are the Justice Center's hours? NJ Courts and the Bergen County Sheriff's Office list courthouse hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Where do visitors and jurors park? The Sheriff's Office points visitors and jurors to the Court Street lot. NJ Courts lists the garage at 55 Court Street and says jurors park free with a validated ticket.
Is there a federal courthouse in Hackensack? No. The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey sits in Newark, Trenton, and Camden. Newark is the closest location to Hackensack.
Can I find lawyers in other Bergen County towns? Yes. NJ Business Directory groups listings by county as well as by town, so the Bergen County page shows listings from across the county, including nearby towns such as Teaneck, River Edge, and Hasbrouck Heights.
A note on this guide
This article is general information, not legal advice. Reading it doesn't create a lawyer-client relationship. For advice about your own situation, talk with a lawyer licensed in New Jersey.
Have a Hackensack practice?
Help Bergen County neighbors find you. Create your new profile free; it's easy as 1-2-3, and every listing is reviewed before it goes live. Want to show up above basic listings in your town? See our Pricing & Plans. Questions? Contact us.