The Committee does significantly find that far too many minors are contributing
breaches of the public peace, which in significant part is occasioned by a
lack of responsibility on the part of the parents of the minors. Although
the existing statutes do afford a means to alert parents to their responsibilities
to both the minor and society in general, it is considered the opinion and
legislative judgment of the Committee that further legislation is necessary
to encourage greater parental concern and responsibility and to fill the void
where traditional parental control is inadequate. This chapter, pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 40:48-1, is intended to fill this void.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
MINOR
Any person under the age of 18 years.
PARENT
Includes either or both parents of a minor, the legal guardians of
such minor or any other person having the care or custody of the minor committing
the violation of the public peace. However, the term "parent" shall not apply
to parents, legal guardians or other persons whose custody and control over
such minor has been removed by court order, degree or judgment or the military
service or marriage of such minor.
[Amended 11-25-2003 by Ord. No. O-03-27]
Whenever a minor residing within the Township of Freehold shall have
been adjudged a "delinquent" within the definition of N.J.S.A. 2A:4-44 or
shall have been adjudged a "juvenile in need of supervision" within the definition
of N.J.S.A. 2A:4-45 or whenever a minor, regardless of residency, shall have
been referred to the Adjustment Subcommittee of the Freehold Township Youth
Guidance Council by a Judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court,
by the police, by a school official, by any other agency concerned with youth
problems, or by other interested persons as a result of conduct alleged to
have taken place within the Township, the parent of such minor shall appear
with the juvenile and cooperate fully with the programs, policies and instructions
of the Adjustment Subcommittee.
The parent of any minor referred to the Adjustment Subcommittee
of the Freehold Township Youth Guidance Council shall be deemed in violation
of this chapter whenever such parent shall fail, without reasonable excuse
for such failure, to comply with the programs, instructions or directions
relating to the parent as prescribed by the Adjustment Subcommittee.
Any parent who shall violate the terms of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to punishment as provided in Chapter
1, Article
II, General Penalty.
The remedy provision of this chapter shall not be exclusive, and the
state or any other person shall have the right to proceed under any other
legally available remedies.