54:39A-20. False statements; violations; penalties

20. a. (1) Any person who shall willfully and knowingly make a false statement orally, or in writing, or in the form of a receipt for the sale of motor fuel, for the purpose of obtaining or attempting to obtain or to assist any other person, partnership or corporation to obtain or attempt to obtain a credit or refund or reduction of liability for taxes under this act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(2) Any person who willfully violates any other provision of this act or any provision of the rules and regulations prescribed under this act, except provisions of this act or of such rules and regulations for the violation of which a penalty is otherwise provided in this act, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500.00 to be recovered in a summary proceeding pursuant to the Penalty Enforcement Law (N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq.). For the purposes of such proceeding, such violation shall be deemed an act committed in part at the office of the director in Trenton.

b. In addition to the provisions and remedies contained in the Penalty Enforcement Law, the following provisions and remedies shall be applicable in any proceeding brought for a violation of any of the provisions of this act:

(1) The several municipal courts shall have jurisdiction of any such proceeding in addition to the courts prescribed in said Penalty Enforcement Law, provided, however, that the maximum fine which may be imposed by a municipal court in a proceeding involving failure to exhibit an identification marker or a registration card shall be $50.00;

(2) The complaint in any such proceeding may be made on information and belief by the director or by any member of the State Police;

(3) A warrant may be issued in lieu of summons;

(4) Any police or peace officer shall be empowered to serve and execute process in any such proceeding;

(5) The hearing in any such proceeding shall be without a jury;

(6) Any such proceeding may be brought in the name of the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, in the Department of Transportation or in the name of the State of New Jersey;

(7) Any sums received in payment of any fines imposed in any such proceeding shall be paid to the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles and shall be paid by the director into the State Treasury .

L.1963,c.44,s.20; amended 1964,c.84,s.2; 1973,c.117,s.19; 1995,c.347,s.10.