Princeton University Nassau Hall pic

Princeton University's Nassau Hall

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PRINCETON - A group of residents fighting to strip Princeton University of its tax-exempt status got their own financial break last month when a judge ordered that they would not be charged for court costs.

The decision - which came down at the end of last month - is the latest in an ongoing struggle between the university and a group of Princeton residents. The residents - who have since grown in number - filed a lawsuit in 2011, saying that the university's tax-exempt status means residents have to pay an unfairly high amount in taxes to make up for the school.

But the lawsuit itself has proved costly and recently, an attorney representing the group, argued that they would not be able to pay all of the additional court fees, which amount to $24,450.

Last month, Tax Court Judge Vito Bianco agreed, saying in his decision that the fees would be, "a lot for anyone to pay."

He cited the New Jersey Courts vision statement, " (To) provide equal access to a fair and effective system of justice, for all without excess cost."

The $24,450 would prohibit the group of residents from continuing with their lawsuit, Bianco wrote, noting that each effort the university has made to dismiss the case has been denied.

He added that the possibility that the lawsuit could end, simply for economic reasons, would be a "travesty of justice."

"Justice requires that court fees must never be the basis to deny anyone access to the courts regardless of his or her economic situation," Bianco wrote.

Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.