51:1-132. Recovery of penalties, procedure

20. A proceeding to recover any penalty incurred under the provisions of this act, or acts supplementary or amendatory thereof, may be brought in the name of the State of New Jersey by any duly appointed weights and measures officers in the Superior Court or municipal court of any municipality of this State, wherein the violation occurs, which courts shall have jurisdiction over the proceeding. The proceeding shall be summary and in accordance with "the penalty enforcement law" (N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq.). Process shall be either in the nature of a summons or warrant and it may be directed to any weights and measures officer, or to any constable or police officer, commanding him to cause the person or persons so complained of to be summoned or arrested and brought before the court.

No defendant under any body execution shall be detained for a period exceeding ten days, except as may be otherwise provided by this act.

It shall be the duty of the city attorney of any municipality wherein such violation shall take place to assist in the prosecution of the same, unless such municipality has no such municipal superintendent of weights and measures as provided for in section 51:1-43 of the Revised Statutes, in which case the county prosecutor of the county wherein such violation shall take place shall assist in such prosecution. All fines and penalties collected from persons offending against the provisions of this act shall be paid by the court clerk receiving the same, when recovered by a State weights and measures officer, to the State Treasurer; when recovered by a county weights and measures officer, to the county treasurer of such county; and when recovered by a municipal weights and measures officer, to the municipality which such officer represents. For violation of any of the provisions of this act, done within the view of any weights and measures officer, such weights and measures officer is authorized, without warrant, to arrest the offender or offenders and to conduct him or them before the Superior Court or a municipal court in the county wherein such offense is committed.

L.1938,c.182,s.20; amended 1953,c.48,s.13; 1991,c.91,s.478.