[Adopted 5-17-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-21]
The signature of a person on a Municipal Court summons or complaint constitutes a certificate that the signatory has read the summons or complaint and by signing, filing or advocating the summons or complaint he or she certifies that to the best of his or her knowledge, information and belief, formed after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances, that the summons or complaint is not frivolous and that:
A. 
The summons or complaint is not being presented for any improper purpose such as to harass, annoy or to cause expense;
B. 
The claims and other legal contentions therein are warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for the extension, modification or reversal of existing law or the establishment of new law; and
C. 
The factual allegations have evidentiary support.
This article shall not be applicable to or enforceable against any employees or agents of the Borough of Lodi, the Borough of Lodi Police Department or the Borough of Lodi Municipal Court while acting in their official capacities, since they are acting upon information presented to them and shall therefore have governmental immunity and judicial immunity from same.
The Judge of the Municipal Court of the Borough of Lodi, upon his or her own initiative, may enter an order describing the specific conduct that appears to violate this article and direct the party to show cause why he or she has not violated this article.
Any person who affixes his or her signature or causes a signature to be affixed to a Municipal Court summons or complaint that does not conform to this article or is otherwise in violation of this article shall be subject to the following fines or punishment:
A. 
Upon conviction of a first offense, a fine not exceeding $500;
B. 
Upon conviction of a second offense, a fine not exceeding $750; and
C. 
Upon conviction of a third offense, a fine not exceeding $1,000 and/or a term of imprisonment for a period not to exceed 90 days and/or a term of community service not to exceed 90 days.