2B:12-32 Purging of records for violators of certain municipal ordinances.

1. a. Upon a court ruling that a municipal ordinance is unconstitutional, or approving a settlement of a civil action contesting the constitutionality of a municipal ordinance and when the ruling is considered final because the time for appeal has expired:

(1) the municipality that enacted the ordinance and any judicial or law enforcement agency or agency in the criminal justice system that maintains a written or automated record or file concerning the subject of the order shall purge that record or file of all information identifying any person arrested, charged or convicted of violating the ordinance;

(2) the municipality shall notify any person arrested, charged or convicted of violating the ordinance that such record or file has been purged; and

(3) the municipality shall refund any fines, penalties or court costs paid by any person arrested, charged or convicted of violating the ordinance. The refund shall not be required in any case where, by settlement of a civil action contesting the constitutionality of the ordinance, the person has received or will receive monetary compensation in an amount equal to or greater than any fines, penalties or court costs the person paid.

b. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, purging of identifying information pursuant to this act shall not require any action by the defendant or the payment of any fee.

c. The Supreme Court of New Jersey may adopt rules and the Administrative Director of the Courts may issue directives and guidelines to be followed by municipal courts to implement the purposes of this act.

d. The Attorney General may issue any guidelines which may be necessary concerning procedures for law enforcement agencies or any agency in the criminal justice system for purging records or files of municipal ordinance violations as required by this act.

L.2000,c.108,s.1.