The Township Council finds that unlawful acts
by juveniles are increasing at an alarming rate; that such acts are
frequently attributable to the lack of care, custody and control exercised
by the parent; that parents should be responsible for the conduct
of their children; and there should be a legal deterrent to unlawful
acts by juveniles and to parental neglect of child supervision.
It shall be unlawful for a parent, guardian
or other person having legal custody of a juvenile who is under the
age of 18 years to knowingly fail or neglect to exercise reasonable
supervision and control of the conduct of such juvenile which shall
result in the commission of unlawful acts by the juvenile.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
UNLAWFUL ACT OF A JUVENILE
The commission of an act, which, if committed by an adult,
would constitute a high misdemeanor or misdemeanor, a disorderly person's
offense or a violation of any other penal statute, ordinance or regulation.
Whenever a parent, guardian or other person
having legal custody of a juvenile shall have received notice, verbal
or written, from any governmental enforcement officer that the child
under his or her care has been guilty of unlawful acts, and thereafter
the child repeats the commission of unlawful acts and offenses within
180 days of such notice, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that
said parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of such
juvenile has knowingly failed and neglected to exercise reasonable
supervision and control of the conduct of such juvenile.
[Amended 10-4-1976]
Any person convicted of a violation of this
chapter shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment
for 90 days, or both, in the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge.