HACKENSACK — Gov. Christie may not have to appear in court to answer a criminal complaint regarding the closure of lanes on the George Washington Bridge after all.

Despite headlines about Christie's lawyer agreeing to appear on Nov. 23 in Bergen County Superior Court about a complaint brought by retired Teaneck fire fighter William Brennan, there are two ways the governor may be able to avoid the appearances according to NBC 4 New York.

The report cited an unnamed source saying the judge’s initial ruling determining there was probable cause allowing the complaint to move forward is being appealed. Winning the appeal would eliminate the need for a court appearance.

If the appeal fails and the case moves forward, Christie can waive a first appearance according to the report.

Brennan's alleges Christie "knowingly refrained from ordering that his subordinates take all necessary action to re-open local access lanes" on the George Washington Bridge from Fort Lee in 2013 that had been "closed with the purpose to injure Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich" for not endorsing Christie's re-election bid.

Christie's office has called Brennan a "serial complainant with a history of abusing the system." The governor has maintained his innocence in the Bridgegate case.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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