LAW DEPARTMENT

Mission Statement:

The Department of Law is committed to providing the highest quality of legal services to the residents of the City, the Mayor, City Council, all departments within City Government, as well as the employees of the City.  The Department of Law strives to ensure that its staff of professionals and paraprofessionals obtain the best disposition of cases and other legal issues while strictly adhering to the cannons of professional ethics and applicable laws.  Every individual seeking service from the Department of Law can be assured that their matter will be handled with the utmost courtesy and respect.

The Trenton Municipal Code is available online and can be easily searched.
The Department of Law under the direction of the City Attorney is charged with the following responsibilities:

• Advising City Council as to the formal sufficiency of all ordinances and resolutions prior to their passage.
• The review and approval of all contracts, deeds, documents and instruments prior to the execution thereof by the Mayor.
• Conducting appeals from orders, decisions or judgments affecting any interest of the City as necessary or desirable or as directed by the Mayor or City Council.
• Enter into settlement agreements, subject to the approval of City Council, of any litigation which the City is involved.
• Render opinions in writing upon any question of law submitted by the Mayor, City Council or the head of any department with respect to their official powers, duties and responsibilities.
• Maintain a record of actions, suits proceedings and matters which relate to the City’s interest and render reports thereon from time to time as the Mayor or Council may require.
• Prosecute crimes and offenses in Trenton Municipal Court including violations of city ordinances.
• Assist the administration in their different functions, powers and duties as may be required.

Lyle P. Hough, Jr., Chief Municipal Prosecutor

The Trenton Municipal Prosecutor’s Office is a legal arm of the Department of Law.  This office under the direction of the Chief Municipal Prosecutor is charged with the aggressive prosecution of the following:

• Quality of Life Offenses
• Traffic Offenses
• Disorderly Offenses
• Petty Disorderly Offenses
• Other specialized matters as deemed necessary by the court.