NJ A2538

Counties may establish county-municipal courts by ordinance to handle all matters currently within municipal court jurisdiction, including motor vehicle violations, ordinance violations, and criminal pretrial release/detention hearings as assigned by the Assignment Judge

Municipalities must agree within two years of the court's establishment to have violations heard there; non-compliant municipalities will have cases ordered to the county-municipal court and be responsible for administrative costs until they comply

Judges would be nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for fixed five-year terms, with a maximum of three consecutive terms; county executives or governing bodies would submit candidate names to the Governor

The county prosecutor, rather than appointed municipal prosecutors, would handle all prosecutions in county-municipal courts

Counties must provide courtroom facilities in the same building as the Superior Court, and all fines, fees, and forfeitures would go to the county treasury to defray operating costs