§ 2A:44-23 — Statement of amount claimed; offer by owner of reasonable amount and demand for possession; fees.

2A:44-23. The owner or the person entitled to the immediate possession of the motor vehicle or part thereof so detained, may, on learning of the detention of the same, immediately demand from the garage keeper or the person in charge thereof, a statement of the true amount claimed to be due for the storing, maintaining, keeping or repairing of such motor vehicle, or for furnishing gasoline or other fuel, accessories or other supplies therefor. If upon receiving such statement he considers the amount thereof excessive, he may offer what he considers to be reasonably due and demand possession of the motor vehicle or part thereof so detained. If possession is refused, he may immediately bring an action for possession thereof in the Superior Court, Law Division, Special Civil Part or in any other court. The owner or person entitled to immediate possession thereof shall pay the appropriate court fees and costs prior to the hearing; except that the owner or the person may seek relief from the payment of court fees and costs as provided in the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey. The application for the waiver of fees shall be determined prior to or in conjunction with the summary hearing for possession of the motor vehicle. L.1951 (1st SS), c.344; amended 1991, c.91, s.92; 1998, c.122, s.2.