COURT
The Municipal Court became part of the Automated Criminal System (ACS) in April 1996. One-half of the staff attended a training course and then returned to teach the system to the rest of the staff. We continue to be part of the Automated Traffic System (ATS). Under both of these systems, failure to pay a fine within eight weeks of the court date will result in automatic suspension of the offender's license by the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles until the fine is paid. The Police Department is purchasing the necessary equipment to access the ACS system in 1997. When completed, police personnel will be able to verify warrants, etc., directly without use of Municipal Court personnel.
The office is now fully automated and able to look up both criminal cases and traffic tickets without having to pull them from the files. This enables us to serve the public in a more efficient and timely manner.
Municipal Court revenues of $735,206.54 were collected in 1996. Of that total, $423,900.12 was remitted to the Township, including backlog revenues of $1,037.50. The balance in revenues collected of $311,306.42 was transferred to other agencies, primarily the State Director of Motor Vehicles and the County of Bergen.