There is
hereby established in the Township a Municipal Court, to be known
and designated as the "Municipal Court of the Township of Franklin,
Somerset County, New Jersey."
Powers and
duties. The Municipal Court and the Judge thereof shall have, possess
and exercise all of the functions, powers, duties and jurisdiction
in all cases of every nature conferred upon such court or such Judge
by the statutes of the state in such case made and provided. Such
court and Judge shall have jurisdiction over complaints for violations
of any of the provisions of this Code or other ordinances of the Township.
The
Judge of the Municipal Court shall be appointed by the Council as
provided by general law and municipal ordinance and shall hold office
for such term as provided therein. He/she shall have and possess the
qualifications and shall have and perform the jurisdiction, powers
and duties prescribed by general law.
There
may also be appointed by the Council an Associate Judge, who, if such
position is appointed, shall hold office for such term as provided
by general law and municipal ordinance and shall have and possess
the qualifications and have and perform the jurisdiction, powers and
duties as prescribed for the Judge of the Municipal Court.
There shall be a Public Defender who shall be appointed by the Council as provided by general law and municipal ordinance and shall hold office for a term of one year, beginning January 1 and ending December 31 next ensuing. He/she shall have and possess the qualifications and shall have and perform the jurisdiction, powers and duties prescribed by general law. In the event Council appoints Assistant Public Defenders, as authorized in Subsection C(4), the Public Defender shall serve as the Chief Municipal Public Defender and shall have authority over the Assistant Public Defenders serving the court with respect to the performance of their duties.
There
may also be appointed by Council Assistant Public Defenders, as deemed
necessary and appropriate, who shall hold office for a term of one
year, beginning January 1 and ending December 31 next ensuing. Such
Assistant Public Defenders shall have and possess the qualifications
and shall have and perform the jurisdiction, powers and duties prescribed
by law.
There
shall be an Administrator of the Municipal Court who shall be appointed
by the Manager. The Administrator of the Municipal Court shall be
responsible for the supervision of administrative operations of said
entity.
The Chief
Financial Officer shall supervise the fiscal transactions of the Municipal
Court so as to ensure compliance with accounting standards as established
for municipal courts in the State of New Jersey.