N.J.S. § 39:3C-34 Additional Fines, Impoundment

• Library: New Jersey Permanent Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through L. 2023, c. 194.
• Year: 2023
• Citation: N.J.S. § 39:3C-34

a. In addition to the fines set forth in section 33 of P.L. 2009, c. 275(C.39:3C-33), any vehicle or off-road vehicle operated on public lands in violation of P.L. 1973, c.307 (C.39:3C-1 et seq.), may be impounded by the law enforcing agency and held until the payment of the fee required pursuant to subsection b. or c. of this section, as appropriate.

The prosecutor may waive the requirements of subsections b. and c. of this section for the owner of the vehicle or off-road vehicle if the owner is not a defendant in the case and did not know, or reasonably could not have known, that the vehicle or off-road vehicle would be used in violation of P.L. 1973, c.307 (C.39:3C-1 et seq.), or any law, or rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, concerning the operation of vehicles or off-road vehicles on public lands.

b.

(1) For a first offense, the vehicle or off-road vehicle may be impounded for not less than 48 hours and shall be released to the registered owner upon proof of registration and insurance as applicable to the type of vehicle or off-road vehicle and payment of a fee of $500 to the Department of Environmental Protection, plus reasonable towing and storage costs.

(2) For a second offense, the vehicle or off-road vehicle may be impounded for not less than 96 hours and shall be released to the registered owner upon proof of registration and insurance as applicable to the type of vehicle or off-road vehicle and payment of a fee of $750 to the Department of Environmental Protection, plus reasonable towing and storage costs.

(3) For a third or subsequent offense, the vehicle or off-road vehicle impounded may be forfeited and sold at auction and the registered owner shall be responsible for payment of a fee of $1,000 to the Department of Environmental Protection, plus reasonable towing and storage costs.

c.

(1) If the owner fails to claim the impounded vehicle or off-road vehicle, and the fee required pursuant to subsection b. of this section has not been paid, by noon of the 30th day following the date of conviction, the vehicle or off-road vehicle may be sold at auction. Notice of the sale shall be given by the impounding entity by certified mail to the owner of the vehicle or off-road vehicle, if the owner's name and address are known, and to the holder of any security interest filed with the chief administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, and by publication in a form prescribed by the chief administrator by one insertion, at least five days before the date of the sale, in one or more newspapers published in the State and circulating in the municipality in which the vehicle or off-road vehicle is impounded.