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Bill > S3327
NJ S3327
NJ S3327Requires notice to be provided by municipal court to applicant for public defender of fee and process to waive fee for inability to pay.
summary
Introduced
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides that, if a municipality requires by ordinance that a person applying for representation by a municipal public defender pay an application fee, the municipal court would be required to provide notice to the applicant of the fee and the process to waive the fee in the event of any inability to pay. No fee other than that permitted by section 17 of P.L.1997, c.256 (C.2B:24-17) is to be assessed for representation by a municipal public defender Under the provisions of section 17 of P.L.1997, c.256 (C.2B:24-17), a municipality may require that a person applying for municipal public defender representation to pay an application fee of not more than $200. The statute provides that the fee must be in an amount necessary to pay the costs of municipal public defender services. The municipal court may waive the application fee if the court determines upon a clear and convincing showing by the applicant that the fee represents an unreasonable burden on the person seeking representation. The bill would take effect 60 days after enactment.
AI Summary
This bill requires that if a municipality has an ordinance allowing them to charge a fee for someone applying for a municipal public defender, the municipal court must inform applicants about this fee and how they can request to have it waived if they cannot afford to pay it. A municipal public defender is a lawyer provided by the court for individuals who cannot afford their own legal representation in municipal court cases. The bill clarifies that any fee charged for this service cannot exceed the amount allowed by a specific existing law (section 17 of P.L.1997, c.256), which permits a fee of up to $200, and this fee must be necessary to cover the costs of providing public defender services. The court can waive the fee if the applicant can clearly demonstrate that paying it would be an unreasonable financial hardship. This new requirement will become effective 60 days after the bill is officially passed into law.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 02/05/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S3327 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3500/3327_I1.HTM |
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