This is a common question. The simple answer is this. An indictable criminal offense is a more serious offense. Sometimes these offenses are called felony offenses. In New Jersey, indictable offenses are called as such because the accused has the right to have his case presented to a grand jury. These matters are heard in the Superior Court and if trial results, it is trial by jury.
A grand jury is a panel of people who will listen to the facts that the State believes will prove your guilt and determine whether or not the state can prove its case. This is not a trial. In most cases, the accused will not be allowed to participate in the grand jury proceedings, neither will defense attorneys, although a request can be made. Basically, the state can present its best case, uncontested by the defense. If the panel decides that the state “has a case”, an indictment will be handed down. If the grand jury does not think that the state has a case, then the matter will be “no billed”, and the charges will be either dismissed or downgraded to a less serious offense.
In many cases, an indictable offense won’t ever get to the grand jury. The criminal justice system promotes plea bargaining. This means that there will be an opportunity to resolve the matter prior to indictment. In almost all cases, the best plea offer is given prior to indictment. If the defendant turns down that pre-indictment plea offer, and the case is indicted, then the next offer will typically be much worse. If a defendant pleads guilty prior to indictment by way of plea bargain, then this is called pleading to the accusation. If the defendant rejects the pre-indictment plea offer and the post indictment plea offer, then the case will go to trial.
Less serious offenses are called disorderly persons offenses. Disorderly persons offenses are similar to misdemeanors and encompass a wide array of quasi criminal offenses such as shoplifting (under 200), simple assault, disorderly conduct, obstruction of justice, etc. There is no right to a grand jury with disorderly persons offenses, there are no jury trials with DP or disorderly persons offenses. The judge is the judge and jury. If convicted of a DP, it will appear on a criminal record, you can face jail time, heavy fines, and loss of license.
Disorderly persons offense are heard in the municipal court. With these type of charges, as with indictable offenses, their will typically be multiple court appearances. It is very rare that these matters are resolved with one or even two court appearances.
The foregoing is provided to give a VERY basic structure. It is wise to contact a lawyer when charged with any criminal offense in New Jersey.
Essex County NJ Criminal Attorney Blog 
To whomever wrote this (Todd Palumbo?), it’s a great, succinct article distinguishing an “indictable” offense from that which is not indictable (i.e., disorderly persons offense). After first consulting w/ the Township Prosecutor, I recently brought a complaint in Bridgewater Municipal Court and signed a summons, citing 21:2-6 (Dangerous fireworks prohibited). Only several days later I got a call from a court clerk saying that it was determine that the offense, as cited, was an “indictable offense, an as such, would have to be referred to Somerset County Court. When I asked what was the distinction that made it “indictable”, the clerk said she didn’t know. She did tell me, however, that the County Court would contact me to let me know of disposition scheduling, etc. When after a week I had heard from no one, I contacted Somerset County Court and was passed around many times by folks who had no idea where my case was. Finally I reached someone in the prosecutor’s office who located my case. I asked to speak to someone to ask a few procedural questions. She said fine. The next day, she called me and said my case was being remanded back to municipal court! When I asked her why, she had no idea. I now felt like a ping-pong ball. This was something out of Abbott & Costello.
So the same clerk in Municipal Court called me and said the case had been returned and asked me if I’d consider a downgrade to 21:3-8 (Penalties for violations). I again expressed my confusion over why the case had been referred to County Court in the first place and my confusion as to the distinction of “indictable”. In this context, I asked her to please explain how 21:3-8 is a “downgrade over 21:2-6. She didn’t know and only said, “I’m not a lawyer.”
So, a Google search sent me here which was the perfect ticket. The violation of 21:2-6 is explained in 21:2-35 (Violations; crime of fourth degree): “Any person who fails to comply with or violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.”
For 21:3-8, “Any person who … uses, discharges, causes to be discharged, ignites, fires, or otherwise sets in action, or possesses any fireworks is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense. ”
Kudos to Todd Palumbo for providing this article! It clarified things I was unable to get from my government.
Thank you for your comments. I understand how confusing the courts can be and I am glad the information I provide is helpful.