Local Justice: Decisions in Municipal Court

In State v. Chima Asoluka of Livingston, the state charged defendant with shoplifting from Toys-R-Us a Playstation 3 valued at $399.99.  (The item was later stolen from him in Newark.) The defendant pleaded guilty to theft. The court imposed a $500 fine, $33 in court costs, a $50 Violent Crimes Compensation Organization (VCCO) penalty, and a $75 safe neighborhood fee.

In State v. Nygil Heath of Newark, the state charged defendant with shoplifting from Lord & Taylor merchandise valued at $290. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. The court sentenced Heath to one year probation. The court also imposed a $300 fine, $33 in court costs, a $50 VCCO penalty, and a $75 safe neighborhood fee.

In State v. Elizabeth Refinski of West Orange, the state charged the defendant with two counts of giving bad checks to Shoprite. The defendant pleaded guilty to one charge of a creating a disturbance on private property. The court imposed a $100 fine and $33 in court costs.

In State v. Michael Marini of Livingston, the state charged the defendant with criminal mischief for standing on the hood of a car and striking the windshield causing it to crack. The defendant pleaded guilty to creating a disturbance. The court imposed a $300 fine and $33 in court costs.