NJ A2539

Authorizes any county to establish a county-municipal court by ordinance, which would handle all matters currently under municipal court jurisdiction plus civil actions up to $15,000 and summary landlord-tenant cases typically handled by the Special Civil Part of Superior Court

Requires all municipalities within a county that establishes such a court to join within two years by ordinance; non-compliant municipalities would have violations ordered to the new court by the Assignment Judge and be responsible for administrative costs until they agree to participate

Counties must provide courtrooms, chambers, and facilities in the same courthouse as the Superior Court, and may either hire staff directly or enter agreements with the Administrative Office of the Courts to use Superior Court employees

Judges would be nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, with the county executive or governing body submitting candidate names; the county prosecutor would serve as the municipal prosecutor for all offenses

All fines, fees, costs, and bail forfeitures collected by the county-municipal court would be paid to the county treasury to offset the cost of operating the court