By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
NORTHFIELD — Mayor Erland Chau updated City Council on the proposal for a countywide court system during its meeting April 6.
He said he requested county counsel Jim Ferguson attend an upcoming meeting of the body “to bring everybody up to speed as to what has transpired and answer any questions that you have.”
Chau said he met with the “court czars” from northern New Jersey earlier that day and learned that there are six or seven municipalities in two different counties involved in some kind of joint court system.
He said state-level legislation must be passed to allow the practice and that pressure is mounting on state Senate President Stephen Sweeney to do so before the break for campaigning.
“We are trying to persuade him to get it on the docket as soon as possible,” Chau said.
The mayor said going into the meeting his greatest question was whether there were any complaints about the distance police officers have to travel to appear, but he found that the combined court had not gotten one complaint. He also said the practice of virtual appearances that increased amid the COVID-19 pandemic would be in use going forward so the question may very well be moot.
“They are getting the same message we’re getting from our Superior Court judges down here that virtual appearances and kiosks are here to stay,” Chau said. “The only time it would not be virtual is any mandated court appearance like DWIs and so forth.”
He said the city would receive a sample ordinance for passage but must wait to act until the state has taken up the issue.
Chau said the county needs at least 10 municipalities to make it financially viable and is asking those interested in participating to make a commitment by June 1 so the finances could be worked out.
Councilman Brian Smith asked if the county would be making a commitment to the municipalities at the same time, noting that plans have been in the works for Northfield and Linwood’s shared court to join with Hamilton Township.
Smith wants assurance that if the city decides to join the county system that it will be operational by Jan. 1, 2022.
Chau said other options include creating a larger shared court system with one lead agency or joining with Hamilton Township.
