Local Justice: Decisions in Municipal Court

The Livingston Municipal Court handled a DWI and two separate shoplifting cases arising at the Livingston Mall.

In State v. Meranda Mueller of West Orange, Mueller was charged with DWI, refusing to take the blood alcohol test, and reckless driving.  She pled guilty to DWI and refusing to take the blood alcohol test. As part of the plea ageement,  the reckless driving charge was dismissed.  

On the DWI count,  the court suspended Mueller's license for 3 months and required Mueller to attend 12 hours at the Intoxicated Drivers' Resource Center.   On the refusal to take the blood alcohol test count, the court suspended Mueller's license for 7 months (the suspensions run concurrently), and for the 13 months following the suspension, the court imposed an interlocking device requirement.  

An ignition interlock system is a sophisticated device that tests for alcohol on a driver's breath before allowing a car to start.  An ignition interlock system requires a vehicle operator to blow into a small handheld alcohol sensor unit that is attached to a vehicle's ignition.  The car breathalyzer calculates the driver's breath and alcohol content and allows the car to start only if the BAC is lower than a preset amount

The Court also imposed monetary fines and penalties on each count. On the DWI count, the court imposed a $306 fine, a $200 DWI Surcharge, $33 in court costs, a $50 VCCO (Violent Crime Compensation Organization) penalty, a $75 safe neighborhood fee.  On the refusal to take the blood alcohol test count,  the court imposed an additional $306 fine, a $100 DWI Surcharge, $33 in court costs, a $50 VCCO penalty, a $75 safe neighborhood fee.

In State v. Claudia Matute of Whippany, Matute was charged with shoplifting jewelry worth $50 from Sears.  She pled guilty to the charge.  The court imposed a $300 fine, $33 in court costs, a $50 VCCO penalty and a $75 safe neighborhood fee.

In State v. Anita Morocho of Orange, Morocho was charged with shoplifting clothing valued at $124.20 from Sears.  She pled guilty to the charge.  The court imposed a $300 fine, $33 in court costs, a $50 VCCO penalty and a $75 safe neighborhood fee.