N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-57
Judgment for possession; warrant for removal; issuance
Operative Text
If no sufficient cause is shown to the contrary when the action comes on for trial, the court shall issue its warrant to any officer of the court, commanding him to remove all persons from the premises, and to put the claimant into full possession thereof, and to levy and make the costs out of the goods and chattels of the person in possession. No warrant of removal shall issue until the expiration of 3 days after entry of judgment for possession, except as provided for in chapter 42 of this Title. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344; amended by L.1979, c. 392, s. 1, eff. Feb. 6, 1980.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-57, when a court rules in favor of a claimant in a possession action and no sufficient defense is raised, it issues a warrant directing a court officer to remove occupants, restore the claimant to full possession, and collect court costs from the occupant's personal property. Critically, this warrant cannot be executed until at least three days after the judgment for possession is entered, except in circumstances covered by chapter 42 of the same title. This mandatory waiting period is built into the statute as a procedural safeguard between the court's judgment and the physical removal of occupants.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers pursuing eviction proceedings in New Jersey should be aware that N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-57 establishes a mandatory minimum three-day waiting period between a judgment for possession and the issuance of a removal warrant. Compliant operators typically account for this statutory delay when planning transitions between tenancies and do not attempt to take possession before the warrant is lawfully issued. Coordinating with the court and any relevant officers in advance helps ensure the process moves forward smoothly once the waiting period has elapsed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-57 provides tenants with a built-in procedural protection: even after a court enters a judgment for possession against an occupant, a removal warrant cannot legally issue for at least three days. Tenants who believe a removal is being carried out prematurely or without a proper warrant may have grounds to raise that procedural issue in court. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider can help occupants understand what options may be available during this window.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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