Local Justice: Decisions in Municipal Court

In State v. Scott Menegus, of Livingston, the state charged Menegus with two counts of burglary for breaking into two cars, and two counts of theft for taking from each car a GPS both valued at $200.  (Additional motor vehicle charges against him appear in the next paragraph.)  The Essex County Prosecutor's Office downgraded the 2 burglaries to 2 charges of criminal trespass, and downgraded the 2 thefts to 2 disorderly person offenses.  Defendant pled guilty to 1 count of criminal trespass and the balance of the charges were dismissed. 

The court sentenced him to 90 days, which was suspended pending successful satisfaction of 1 year of probation, which the court imposed.  The court imposed a $250 fine, which was suspended because defendant had spent several days in custody following his arrest.  The court also imposed $33 in court costs, a $50 VCCO penalty and a $75 safe neighborhood fee.

The state also charged Menegus with 6 motor vehicle offenses: careless driving, failure to wear a seat belt, failure to exhibit his driver's license, failure to exhibit his car registration, driving an uninsured motor vehicle, and overnight parking.  Defendant pled guilty to failure to wear a seat belt and also to failure to exhibit a driver's license and the balance of the motor vehicle charges were dismissed.  On the first offense (failure to wear a seat belt), the court imposed a $26 fine and $33 in court costs; and on the second offense (failure to exhibit a driver's license) the court imposed a $156 fine and $33 in court costs. 

In State v. Michael Fusco, of Livingston, the state charged Fusco with two counts of burglary for breaking into cars, and two counts of theft for taking from each car a GPS valued at $200.  The Essex County Prosecutor's Office downgraded the charges.  (See above)  He pled guilty to resisting arrest and the balance of the charges was dismissed. The court sentenced him to 90 days, which was suspended pending successful satisfaction of 1 year probation, which the court imposed.  The court also imposed a $250 fine, $33 in court costs, a $50 VCCO penalty and a $75 safe neighborhood fee.