Local Justice: Decisions in Municipal Court

In State v. Tammy Armstrong, of San Antonio Texas, the State charged defendant with disorderly conduct because she pulled a fire alarm at the Short Hills Hilton when there was no fire.  (She pulled the alarm when she became upset during a family argument.)  Defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.  The Court imposed a fine of $500 and $33 in court costs, a $50 VCCO (Victims of Crime Compensation Office) penalty and a $75 safe neighborhood fee. 

In State v. Robert Wright, of Newark, the State charged defendant with two counts of providing false information to a police officer to avoid arrest.  Defendant pleaded guilty to one charge and the other was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.  The Court imposed a fine of $300, $33 in court costs, a $50 VCCO (Victims of Crime Compensation Office) penalty and a $75 safe neighborhood fee. 

In State v. Agila Nelson, of Newark, the State charged defendant with three offenses: (1) shoplifting from True Religion, (2) malicious damage to another's property (the property taken), and (3) attempting to escape from her handcuffs.  Defendant pleaded guilty to shoplifting (the first charge) and, as part of the plea agreement, the malicious damage charge (the second charge) was dismissed.   The Court sentenced defendant to 10 days of community service.  The Court also imposed a fine of $500, $33 in court costs, and ordered defendant to make restitution of $92 for the damaged property.  The Court also warned defendant that if she returned to True Religion during the next two years, she could be charged with trespassing.  On the third charged offense of attempting to escape, defendant pleaded guilty.  The Court imposed a fine of $500, $33 in court costs, a $50 VCCO penalty and a $75 safe neighborhood fee.  

The Court dismissed a complaint/charge against Elizabeth Santana, of New York, for using someone else's credit card.  The Court also dismissed an unrelated shoplifting complaint/charge against Gail Posner, of Staten Island.