Upon presentation of an application setting forth that the applicant is in the custody of the sheriff or jailer of the county for the nonpayment of a tax, that he applies for his discharge and is without sufficient goods and chattels whereof to make a distress and without means of payment of the tax and costs, the Superior Court shall thereupon direct the sheriff or jailer to cause the applicant to be brought before it for examination and for the hearing of the application. Notice of the application, and of the time appointed for the hearing thereof, shall be given to the legal representative of the municipality wherein the tax was levied, who may be heard in relation to the application. After the examination of the applicant and the hearing, the court may order his discharge, or order his release upon condition that he shall pay the tax and costs assessed against him in such manner as the circumstances of the case shall warrant. A person released upon condition that he shall pay the tax and costs, who shall violate the condition of the order releasing him, may be taken into custody and kept in confinement until the tax and costs are paid.
N.J.S. § 54:4-82