17:22B-17. Violations; civil penalties

17. Any person violating any provision of this act shall, in addition to any other sanctions provided by law, be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $2,500 for the first offense and not more than $5,000 for the second and each subsequent offense. For the purposes of this section, each transaction or statutory violation shall constitute a separate offense. In lieu of an administrative proceeding or in an action in the Superior Court, the commissioner may bring an action for the collection or enforcement of civil penalties for the violation of any provision of this act or any regulation promulgated pursuant hereto. The action may be brought in a summary manner, pursuant to "the penalty enforcement law," N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq. Process in the action may be by summons or warrant and in the event that the defendant in the action fails to answer the action, the court shall, upon finding an unlawful act or practice to have been committed by the defendant, issue a warrant for the defendant's arrest in order to bring the person before the court to satisfy the civil penalties imposed. In any action commenced pursuant to this section, the court may order restored to any person in interest any moneys or property acquired by means of an unlawful act or practice. Any action alleging the unlicensed practice of public adjuster shall be brought pursuant to this section in the Superior Court. In any action brought pursuant to this act, the commissioner or the court may order the payment of costs for the use of the State.

L.1993,c.66,s.17.