Traffic offenders in Union County, NJ or more likely to go to jail then if the same offense was committed in any other County in NJ!
As of June 1, 2012 the Slap program is no longer offered in Union County New Jersey. The practical affect of extinguishing SLAP (Sheriff Labor Assistance Program*) from Union County is still unknown. Most municipal court judges are staying mandatory jail terms imposed upon defendants until there is further direction provided. The defendants/motorists affected by this new development are defendants pleading guilty to various traffic offenses that mandate a minimum jail term (i.e. driving on the suspended list because of an underlying dwi/dui in violation of NJSA 39:3-40).
The Union County Jail system is not accepting or does not have room to accept defendants found guilty of a traffic offense mandating a jail term. Thus, municipal court judges are forced to suspended the mandatory statutorily set jail term until some new procedure is instituted or developed for traffic violators facing jail terms.
The SLAP program is still offered in other counties such as Middlesex, NJ or Essex County, NJ this only affects municipal courts within Union County, NJ. Specific Courts affected are: Elizabeth Municipal Court, Linden Municipal Court, Roselle Park Municipal Court, Roselle Municipal Court, Clark Municipal Court, Union Municipal Court, Cranford Municipal Court, Westfield Municipal Court, etc.
If you are charged with a traffic offense that may result in your possible incarceration, give Dan T. Matrafajlo, Esq. a call for a free office consultation to discuss your rights.
*The program was created to provide an alternative to incarceration for individuals sentenced to serve jail time for minor infractions, such as motor vehicle offenses.