This bill allows counties in New Jersey to establish a central municipal drug court through an ordinance. The central municipal drug court will have limited jurisdiction to adjudicate cases involving crimes of the fourth degree, disorderly persons offenses, and petty disorderly persons offenses related to controlled dangerous substances. Additionally, juveniles may be referred to this court by the Presiding Judge of the Family Part of the Superior Court. The bill outlines the appointment process for judges of the central municipal drug court, requiring them to be nominated and appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, and specifies that community service or treatment programs can be alternatives to incarceration for individuals sentenced by this court.

The bill also includes provisions for the employment of attorneys to represent individuals in the central municipal drug court and allows counties or municipalities to charge a nominal application fee for public defender representation, which can be waived if it poses an unreasonable burden. The legal language inserted into the current law includes definitions and jurisdictional details for the central municipal drug court, as well as the responsibilities of court officials regarding community service and treatment program compliance. The act is set to take effect 120 days after its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2B:12-27