Borough of Spotswood, NJ Chapter 9 Court

[HISTORY: Derived from Secs. 2-16.2 through 2-16.4 of the 1969 Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Spotswood (adopted by the Borough Council 5-11-1970 by Ord. No. 278, as amended through 9/94). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Municipal Court — See Ch. 2, Art. IV.

Public Defender — See Ch. 2, Art. VI.

§ 9-1 Establishment; powers.

There shall be a Municipal Court of the Borough pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 2A:8-1 et seq., as amended and supplemented, to be known as the "Municipal Court of the Borough of Spotswood." The Municipal Court shall have a seal bearing the impress and name of the Court. The Municipal Court shall be held in the Borough Hall or in such other place as the Council shall from time to time designate by resolution. It shall exercise all the functions, powers, duties and jurisdiction conferred upon municipal courts by the provisions of N.J.S.A. 2A:8-1 et seq., as amended and supplemented, or by any other law.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: N.J.S.A. 2A:8-1 et seq. was repealed by L. 1993, c. 293. See now N.J.S.A. 2B:12-1 et seq.

§ 9-2 Municipal Judge; powers and duties.

There shall be a Judge of the Municipal Court, appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council, who shall serve for a term of three years from the date of appointment and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. The Municipal Judge shall possess the qualifications and shall have and exercise all the functions, duties, powers and jurisdiction conferred by N.J.S.A. 2A:8-1 et seq., as amended and supplemented, or by any other general law or ordinance.

§ 9-3 Municipal Court Clerk.

There shall be a Clerk of the Municipal Court, who shall be appointed by the Mayor for a term of one year and who shall perform the functions and duties prescribed for him by law, by the rules applicable to municipal courts and by the Municipal Judge. His duties shall include, but shall not be limited to:

A. Carrying out the rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to the operation of the Court.

B. Interviewing and speaking to prospective complainants, receiving complaints and dispensing information relating to Court matters.

C. Maintaining the financial records of the Court.

D. Attending Court, taking minutes of trials and entering them in the docket; arranging trial calendars; signing Court documents; preparing and issuing warrants and commitments.

E. Taking and preparing bail bonds and making inquiry as to their sufficiency and equity; receiving and accounting for fines and costs.

F. Interviewing persons on informal Police Court matters to determine whether there is a basis for formal action and, if necessary, issuing summonses requiring Court appearances in this regard; maintaining and classifying records and files.

§ 9-4 Court Attendant.

There may be a Court Attendant of the Municipal Court, appointed by the Mayor for a term of one year, who shall perform the functions and duties assigned to him by the Municipal Judge and by the Municipal Court Clerk.