New Jersey § 2b:24-17

§ 2b:24-17.

a. A municipality may require by ordinance a person applying for representation by

a municipal public defender or court approved counsel to pay an application fee of

not more than $200.00, but only in an amount necessary to pay the costs of municipal

public defender services. In accordance with guidelines promulgated by the Supreme Court, the municipal court

may waive any required application fee, in whole or in part, only if the court determines,

in its discretion, upon a clear and convincing showing by the applicant that the application

fee represents an unreasonable burden on the person seeking representation. The municipal court may permit a person to pay the application fee over a specific

period of time not to exceed four months. b. Funds collected pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be deposited in

a dedicated fund administered by the chief financial officer of the municipality or

in the case of a joint municipal court in a manner agreed to by the constituent municipalities. Such funds shall be used exclusively to meet the costs incurred in providing the

services of a municipal public defender including, when required, expert and lay investigation

and testimony. c. Beginning in 1999, if it is determined by the Division of Local Government Services

during its annual review of a municipal budget that the amount of money in a dedicated

fund established pursuant to this section exceeds by more than 25% the amount which

the municipality expended during the prior year providing the services of a municipal

public defender, the amount in excess of the amount expended shall be forwarded to

the Criminal Disposition and Review Collection Fund administered by Victims of Crime

Compensation Board.