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NEW JERSEY JUDICIARY ANNUAL REPORT 2011- 2012 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

The State of New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts

Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D. Acting Administrative Director of the Courts

Steven D. Bonville Chief of Staff

Winifred M. Comfort Director, Office of Communications and Community Relations

Deirdre M. Naughton Director, Office of Professional and Governmental Services

James R. Rebo Chief Information Officer

Robert Smith Director, Trial Court Services

Shelley R. Webster Director, Office of Management and Administrative Services You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Table of Contents

Letter from Chief Justice Stuart Rabner ...... 3

Letter from Acting Administrative Director Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D...... 4

Year in Review ...... 5

Supreme Court ...... 9

Appellate Division of Superior Court...... 11

On the Move ...... 15

The Trial Courts...... 18

Family Division ...... 19

Criminal Division...... 21

Civil Division ...... 22

General Equity Division...... 23

Tax Court ...... 24

Probation ...... 25

Municipal Court...... 29

Vicinages ...... 32

N.J. Judicial Council ...... 33

Judges and Justices of the N.J. Judiciary ...... 34

Statistical Summary ...... 37 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library LETTER FROM Chief Justice Stuart Rabner

Thank you for the opportunity afford litigants, attorneys, and to share the good work that the public better access to in- our judges and staff are doing formation online. to ensure quality justice for everyone who uses the New We know that true justice de- Jersey court system. pends not only on the fairness of court rulings but also on a We continue to serve the pub- system that is accessible to all. lic in a manner that is consis- Everyone who interacts with tent with the Judiciary’s the Judiciary – in a court- mission: to work as an inde- house, by phone, or through pendent branch of govern- the Internet – should come ment, entrusted by the away from their encounter Constitution with the respon- confident that they have been sibility to resolve disputes treated with courtesy and re- fairly and justly; to preserve spect. To that end, we are pro- the rule of law; and to protect ceeding with our Access & the rights and liberties the law Fairness Initiative, which will guarantees. help judges and staff provide the best possible court experi- The word “entrusted” conveys ences for all who turn to the a great deal. It means that our Judiciary to seek justice. fellow citizens count on us to do the best we can for the Finally, it is vital that we con- people of New Jersey. It ex- tinue to take steps to educate plains why we always strive for the public about the work of excellence. the Judiciary. Our system of government depends on edu- As you can see from this re- cated and informed citizens. port, we have made progress We will continue to serve in many areas this past year. them well by improving the We don’t just aspire to decide overall level of civics educa- disputes fairly and justly; we tion in our communities. To make every effort to address date, thanks to the help of our them promptly to respond to colleagues in Florida, we have litigants’ real needs. We pro- created a joint program with mote new efficiencies and the State Bar and trained practices as well as alternative scores of attorneys and judges methods of dispute resolution who, in turn, will speak with like mediation and arbitra- local community groups about tion. the role of the Judiciary.

We also continue to try to im- These are a few of the ways plement new technology to that members of the New Jer- better serve the public. In re- sey court family strive to earn cent years, we have increas- the public’s trust. I thank each ingly relied on media like of you for your hard work, pro- YouTube and Twitter to get fessionalism, and dedication information to court users to the mission of the Judiciary. quickly and efficiently. We have also made improvements Chief Justice Stuart to our existing technology to Rabner

3 New Jersey Judiciary LETTER FROMYou Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library Acting Administrative Director Judge Glenn A. Grant

The judges and staff of the statewide program has im- New Jersey Judiciary have proved the lives of its gradu- much to be proud of this year. ates, but also their families From technology initiatives to and communities. Drug courts therapeutic jurisprudence to save lives. They save money. public outreach, our court sys- They work. tem continues to be a national leader in serving the commu- Some of our partner organiza- nity in practical, proven ways. tions depend heavily on the Judiciary to provide real-time We share many of our accom- access to our electronic case plishments with public and management systems to per- private partners, with whom form their work. Law enforce- we have collaborated to share ment agencies, the New Jersey resources, expertise, and tech- Department of Human Serv- nical assistance. Our ongoing ices, and the New Jersey partnership with the Annie E. Motor Vehicle Commission Casey Foundation to make the are some of our many partners Juvenile Detention Alterna- who rely on our IT systems. tives Initiative a statewide program is only one example Other frequent users include of how we can leverage those attorneys, the media, and the relationships to do bigger and public, all of whom receive better things. critical information from our electronic systems and our County by county, we are website. Moreover, our judges finding alternatives to keep and court managers are turn- juveniles awaiting adjudica- ing more and more to infor- tion out of detention facilities mation technology to and in their communities. streamline process and meet Those alternatives are devel- objectives. Our progress in oped in partnership with the building and improving these New Jersey Juvenile Justice systems is yet another measure Commission. Year by year, the of our success. number of youth held in de- tention continues to decline, As you read this report, you with no detrimental effects on will see the efforts of more public safety. We are grateful than 9,000 individuals who, to the Casey Foundation for together, comprise the New helping us make that happen, Jersey Judiciary. These are the and we are eager to share what people who work together we have learned with repre- every day to achieve a single sentatives from other states goal: high quality justice for who continue to visit New Jer- every court user. sey to learn about this great program. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our work. The drug court program con- tinues to be a successful part- Glenn A. Grant, nership involving judges, J.A.D., Acting Administra- prosecutors, public defenders, tive Director of the Courts substance abuse counselors, and probation personnel. Our

Annual Report 2011- 2012 4 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library Year Reviewin

Judiciary and State Bar Join to The initial Benchmarks training is worth two professional- ism credits for attorneys, who are required under court rule Launch Benchmarks Adult to earn continuing legal education (CLE) credits through- out their careers. Each presentation an attorney provides Civics Education Project to an adult community group, such as a Rotary club, Kiwa- nis club, or even a homeowners’ association, is worth an- other professionalism credit. Attorneys can give up to The New Jersey Judiciary joined with the New Jersey three presentations every two years to earn CLE credits. State Bar Association to launch the Benchmarks Adult Civics Education project. Modeled after a similar program The first Benchmarks training was delivered to approxi- in Florida, the Benchmarks project provides training to at- mately 60 attorneys at the NJSBA annual meeting in May torneys and judges on how to deliver civics education pro- 2012. grams to adult community groups. Studies have shown that an increased knowledge of gov- The program addresses the alarming decline in public ernment and basic civics leads to a higher level of public awareness and understanding of how government works. trust and confidence in the government. The Benchmarks A democracy based on the rule of law requires an in- project is one way that that courts and the bar can help formed citizenry to work properly, but civics education has address the lack of understanding and trust in govern- been reduced or eliminated from many school curricula. ment. The result is a growing number of adults who, for example, cannot identify the three branches of government or ex- plain their different responsibilities.

5 New Jersey Judiciary You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Access and Fairness Initiative Courts Expand Web-based Now Underway Offerings to Improve Access and Efficiency The Supreme Court Committee on Access and Fairness, formed in 2011, has been working steadily to develop pro- grams and resources for judges and court staff to focus on The Judiciary website, njcourts.com, has several new web how the courts administer justice in the face of such chal- applications that have improved access for court users who lenges as the continued increase in the number of self-rep- want to do business with the courts online. resented litigants, the economic pressures affecting litigants and the courts and the need to treat each case A searchable database of criminal convictions resulting and each litigant with dignity and respect. from indictments and adjudicated in Superior Court is now available. The Criminal Conviction Public Access In forming the committee, Chief Justice Rabner said, “The System provides convenient access to statewide criminal millions of litigants who come to the courts each year for a conviction docket information for all cases filed after just resolution of their cases are entitled to believe that 1994. Users can search by name or docket number and they have been treated respectfully and fairly in a neutral learn the charge for which the defendant was convicted. forum. At the same time, all people, regardless of income, Expunged cases, cases that did not result in a conviction language barriers, or cultural or educational background, and cases that have not been adjudicated are not avail- must have full access to the courts. This committee will able. look at ways to improve our operations so that we can Visitors also can access civil cases on the Automated Case meet those needs in every case.” Management System. For each case, users can find infor- mation on the parties, the attorneys, the documents that In Court Year 2012, the committee developed a “tool kit” have been filed, the status of the case and the outcome of to help managers and judges conduct informational meet- cases that have been resolved. ings with staff to emphasize the core principles of access and fairness for all court users. Included in the tool kit are Also available is the Judgment Lien Index, which allows a slide presentation, meeting agenda and sample commu- anyone to find judgment liens filed in New Jersey. The nication pieces to help Judiciary leaders start a conversa- index includes liens resulting from civil, criminal, and tion with staff about their role in providing an open door family cases, administrative agency judgments, defaulted to justice. These conversations will take place in every child support payments, Motor Vehicles Commission sur- county and at the Administrative Office of the Courts as charge debts, certificates of indebtedness from the office of statewide implementation of the Access and Fairness ini- the Public Defender, and unpaid probation fines. tiative gets underway. You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

One of the most common uses of the civil judgment database is to search liens against real property before it is sold. The avail- ability of the database online will make this process easier and will give buyers and sellers of real property the ability to find judgments in advance of their intended transactions.

Members of the public looking for attorney information can use the searchable Attorney Index to learn when an attorney was admitted to the bar and whether he or she is in good standing. This service is particularly helpful when trying to determine if one has engaged a licensed lawyer, rather than a “notario.” While the term “notario” refers to lawyers in some cultures, it also can be used to indicate a notary public. A notary public is authorized to witness the signing of certain documents, but is not required to obtain legal training or be admitted to the bar. Pages Available in Spanish on njcourts.com New Jersey attorneys can use the website to complete their an- • A Walk through the Judiciary Process, which nual registration process online, including paying their annual explains the principles of the court system, the fee. They also can search for continuing legal education courses that have been approved by the New Jersey Board on different courts and the types of cases they resolve; Continuing Legal Education. • Supreme Court, which gives an explanation of what the court is and how it works; • Appellate Division of Superior Court, which explains the structure of the Appellate Division and Judiciary Website Available a brief overview of its work; • Local Courts, which provides the address and in Spanish telephone number for the Superior Court in each county and a brief explanation of the family, The Judiciary has created a Spanish version of its website, with criminal and civil divisions; translated versions of its most-visited webpages. • Tax Court, which gives an overview of the court and links to an FAQ page; For years, self-represented litigants have been able to download • Municipal Court, which gives information for liti- forms, instructions, and some program descriptions in Spanish gants in municipal court cases and links to direc- from the Judiciary’s Self-Help Resources page at njcourts.com. tions on how to appeal a municipal court decision; The Judiciary broadening its website to allow Spanish-speaking • Foreclosure Mediation, which provides information court users to learn more about court programs and services is for homeowners facing foreclosure; the result of 2010 census data showing that Hispanics are the largest minority group in the state. • Ombudsman Program, which describes the role of the ombudsman in helping litigants navigate the With the newly translated pages, visitors can find overviews of courts and contact information for the ombuds- each of the courts, contact information for offices and customer man in each vicinage; service personnel in each vicinage, foreclosure mediation, and • Interpreting Services, which provides information instructions on how to request an interpreter or an ADA ac- on obtaining an interpreter for Superior Court commodation for an upcoming court event. Additional pages proceedings; will be translated in the coming months to provide even greater • ADA accommodations, which has overviews of access to Judiciary resources for Spanish-speaking court users. Title I and Title II procedures under the Americans with Disabilities Act and gives links to local ADA The New Jersey Judiciary has been a national leader in court coordinators as well as a form to request accom- interpreting and translation. In 2010, the courts provided inter- modation; preting services at nearly 80,000 court events in 80 languages. • A document titled Concerned about Fair Treat- Approximately 85 percent of the interpreted court events were ment?, which gives information on the Judiciary’s for Spanish-speaking litigants. EEO policy and contact information for reporting concerns about fair treatment in court facilities; • Volunteer Services, which gives a description of the Judiciary’s volunteer program and encourages bilingual visitor to consider volunteering; • Legal Services, which provides a link to the Spanish language website maintained by Legal Services of New Jersey. 7 New Jersey Judiciary You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Fugitive Safe Surrender Essex Vicinage Hosts National Resolves Thousands Conference for Women Judges of Warrants The 33rd annual conference of the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ) was held Oct. 12-16 in Administered under the leadership of the U.S. Marshal’s Newark. The 270 attendees from 28 states and 27 foreign Service, Fugitive Safe Surrender offers people with non-vio- countries gathered to discuss issues related to this year’s lent felony and misdemeanor warrants the opportunity to theme, “Global Women’s Issues.” Topics included domes- surrender in at a neutral location. It can provide a critical tic violence, economic equality for women, human traf- first step back into the community for those whose out- ficking, urban revitalization, access to education, prisoner standing warrants have kept them in hiding. re-entry and cross-cultural issues in court.

The program also improves community safety because many Co-hosted by Rutgers School of Law-Newark and Seton with outstanding warrants cannot find work and rely on Hall Law School, the conference took place on both cam- continued criminal activity to support themselves. Fugitives puses, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and the are also a burden to their loved ones who feel the need to Essex County Historic Courthouse. harbor them and support them financially. Moreover, track- ing fugitives can drain the resources of law enforcement On Oct. 12, the Supreme Court Committee on Women agencies, further endangering the safety of law enforcement in the Courts hosted a welcome reception for conference officers and communities alike. attendees in the rotunda of the Historic Courthouse. At- tendees enjoyed guided tours of the grand building de- New Jersey held its third Fugitive Safe Surrender program in signed by Cass Gilbert with its many famous murals Atlantic City in April 2012 to resolve outstanding warrants painted by Frank D. Millet, Howard Pyle, and H. O. issued in Atlantic, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Walker. Chief Justice Rabner gave remarks, as did Appel- counties. A total of 3,027 fugitives with a combined 8,447 late Division Judge Francince I. Axelrad, the chair of the outstanding warrants surrendered over four days at the Supreme Court Committee on Women in the Courts; As- Grace Assembly of God Church. signment Judge Patricia K. Costello; and Superior Court Judge Michelle Hollar-Gregory, chair of the New Jersey After surrender, the fugitives were transported to the At- chapter of NAWJ. lantic City Convention Center to have their municipal, criminal, family and probation matters resolved. Food ven- dors and social agencies were available to assist fugitives as they waited for their court cases to be heard in one of 13 temporary courtrooms.

To resolve those cases, the courts relied on 38 municipal and Superior Court judges and 138 staff members and managers. The program ran from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. The pro- gram, combined with earlier programs held in Camden, Essex and Somerset Counties, has resulted in more than 13,276 fugitives brought to justice. New Jersey ranks num- ber one in the country in the number of fugitives brought to justice through the program. Annual Report 2011- 2012 8 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Supreme Court

By the numbers Petitions for Certification Filed: 1,204 Petitions for Certification Granted: 118 Oral Arguments: 90 Written Decisions: 68

Supreme Court of New Jersey Back row, L to R: Justice Ann Murray Patterson; Justice Barry T. Albin; Justice Helen E. Hoens; Appellate Judge Dorothea O’C. Wefing, temporarily assigned. Front row, L to R: Justice Virginia A. Long; Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, Justice Jaynee LaVecchia.

5 New Jersey Judiciary The New Jersey Supreme Court is the state’sYou Are highest Viewing court. an Archived The Copy from the New Jersey State Library seven justices are appointed to an initial seven-year term, after which they can be reappointed with tenure until age 70, the mandatory retirement age for all New Jersey state court judges. The court began the court year with six justices, with Appellate Division Presiding Judge for Administration Dorothea O’C Wef- ing on temporary assignment. An additional vacancy was cre- ated by the retirement of Justice Virginia A. Long on March 11, 2012.

The cases that are heard by the Supreme Court are appeals from the Appellate Division of Superior Court. If an appellate panel is divided on an appeal, the parties have an automatic right to Supreme Court review. If the appellate panel is unanimous, the losing party must file a petition for certification to have the court hear the case. The court grants certification in cases in- volving constitutional issues, cases in which there have been conflicting rulings in the past and, in certain instances, cases of great public importance. Supreme Court Justice

In addition to its judicial responsibilities, the Supreme Court Virginia A. Long Retires oversees all aspects of Judiciary administration as well as the legal system itself. The court administers bar admissions through the Board of Bar Examiners. The board recently imple- Supreme Court Justice Virginia A. Long retired on mented an online application system to provide a nearly paper- March 1, 2012 after a 34-year judicial career. Ap- less process for prospective attorneys to register for the state bar pointed to the Superior Court bench in 1978 by examination. After completing a one-page application and an Gov. Brendan T. Byrne, Justice Long served in every authorization and release form, applicants can complete the trial division and in four of the state’s 15 vicinages lengthy Character and Fitness Questionnaire online and upload when she was elevated to the Appellate Division in supplemental documents, such as drivers’ abstracts, directly to 1984. She served in the Appellate Division for 15 their files. All communications are conducted electronically, fur- years, authoring about 2,000 opinions. In 1999, Gov. ther expediting the process and reducing costs and storage space. Christine Todd Whitman nominated Justice Long to The system allows the attorney members of the Supreme Court the Supreme Court bench. She was reappointed with Committee on Character to access character questionnaires and tenure in 2006 and served until the mandatory re- supplemental documents from any location at any time, while tirement age of 70. others can view the same file simultaneously. For July 2012, the first application period with the new system, 3,940 applications A pioneer in the legal world, Justice Long attended were submitted. During Court Year 2012, the court admitted Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross in Washing- 3,346 new attorneys to the New Jersey bar, a 2.76 percent in- ton, D.C. before becoming one of only four women crease from Court Year 2011. in her Rutgers Law School-Newark class of 150 stu- dents. She began her legal career as a deputy attor- The Supreme Court oversees the attorney discipline system, in- ney general and worked in private practice before cluding the Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) and the Discipli- she returned to government service in 1975 as direc- nary Review Board (DRB). The OAE investigates allegations of tor of the Division of Consumer Affairs. She also attorney misconduct and coordinates the work of the state’s 18 served as director of the Department of Insurance district ethics committees and 17 fee arbitration committees to from 1977 until 1978. help ensure the integrity of the legal profession. Its recommen- dations for final discipline are reviewed by the DRB, which con- While on the bench, Justice Long pondered the ducts a second investigation, hearing and review. landmark cases and complex legal issues of the day, Recommendations for disbarment are reviewed by the Supreme but she never forgot the impact that each case would Court, which issues an order to show cause and offers each attor- have on real people. In speaking of her work, Justice ney in danger of disbarment the opportunity for oral argument. Long said, “We may take a case to establish a legal DRB decisions for lesser sanctions are usually final, except in principle going forward, but every one of these cases cases where an attorney requests Supreme Court review. involves somebody’s life, somebody’s child, some- body’s injury, somebody going to jail. Every case was The Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection also is overseen by the a person’s life, spread out on a piece of paper.” Supreme Court. The fund, which is supported by annual pay- ments from the state’s lawyers and judges, provides reimburse- ment to victims of attorneys who have been suspended or disbarred for knowing misappropriation of client funds. During Court Year 2012, the Fund approved $2,467.496.45 to reim- burse clients for losses caused by 36 lawyers. Annual Report 2011- 2012 10 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Appellate Division OF SUPERIOR COURT

By the numbers: Appeals received 6,461 Appeals decided 6,159 Motions decided 7,872 Written opinions 3,280 Published opinions 215 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library The Appellate Division of Superior Court is the state’s intermediate appellate court. It hears appeals and inter- locutory motions from the Superior Court, the Tax Court, and from state admin- istrative agencies.

The 33 appellate judges are selected by the chief justice from among the state’s Supe- rior and Tax Court judges. Retirement of Each of the Appellate Divi- Judge Philip S. Carchman sion’s eight parts includes four judges, the most senior of Appellate Judge Philip S. Carchman reached the whom serves as the presiding mandatory retirement age of 70 on March 16, 2012, judge who oversees case flow. after a 39-year judicial career that began in municipal Each case is decided by a two- court and included several temporary assignments to or three-judge panel from one the New Jersey Supreme Court. of the parts. The panels issue Appointed to the Superior Court in 1986, Judge their decisions in the form of Carchman sat on the criminal bench in the Essex Vici- written opinions that are ei- nage until 1988, when he was assigned to the civil divi- ther “published,” meaning sion in the Mercer Vicinage. He was named presiding they set precedent and can be judge of the division in 1990, and also served as the Family Division presiding judge from 1990 to 1993, used as case law in future and the presiding judge of the general equity part in court cases, or “unpublished,” 1995. In 1995, he was named assignment judge of the meaning they have statewide Mercer Vicinage. Chief Justice Deborah T. Poritz ele- applicability but do not break vated Judge Carchman to the Appellate Division in new legal ground. 1997, and selected him to serve as administrative direc- tor of the courts in 2004. Judge Carchman returned to the Appellate bench in 2007. The presiding judge for ad- ministration of the Appellate A graduate of the Wharton School of Finance and Division works closely with Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania, Judge the Appellate Division Carchman obtained his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He served as law secretary Clerk’s Office to manage the to Assignment Judge Leon Gerofksy and Superior work of the division. Judge Court Judge John C. Demos before becoming a deputy Dorothea O’C. Wefing was attorney general in the New Jersey Department of Law named presiding judge for ad- and Public Safety in 1967. From 1967 to 1981, Judge ministration on June 10, Carchman worked in private practice, and from 1973 to 1981 he served as a part-time municipal court judge 2011. As Judge Wefing has in both Princeton Township and Princeton Borough. served on temporary assign- In 1981, he was named Mercer County prosecutor. He ment to the Supreme Court served in that position until his appointment to the since then, Judge Aríel Ro- bench. driguez has filled that role. He While on the appellate bench, Judge Carchman au- is assisted by Judge Carmen thored 1,284 written opinions, including 152 published Messano, who serves as the opinions. division’s deputy presiding judge for administration.

Annual Report 2011- 2012 12 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Chief Justice Names New Appellate Judges

Appellate Judge Margaret M. Hayden Appellate Judge John C. Kennedy

Judge Margaret M. Hayden was elevated Judge John C. Kennedy was elevated to to the Appellate Division effective Aug. the Appellate Division effective Sept. 1, 1, 2011. Appointed to the Superior 2011. Appointed to the bench in 2003, Court in 2004, she served in the family he served in the criminal division of the division in Essex Vicinage. A former Essex Vicinage until 2008, when he was member of the statewide Domestic Vio- assigned to the civil bench. He has lence Working Group, Judge Hayden served as a panelist at a number of judi- served as the lead judge on domestic vio- cial education programs at the national lence cases from 2004 to 2006. She and state levels. In 2009, Judge Kennedy served as lead judge for Children in became a science and technology fellow Court cases and for the Newark Model of the Advanced Science and Technol- Court from 2008 to 2011. Judge Hayden ogy Adjudication Resource Center in was named an administrative law judge Washington, D.C. by Gov. Christie Whitman in 1996. She remained in that position until her ap- Prior to joining the Judiciary, Judge pointment to the Superior Court. Kennedy was in private practice, most recently as a litigation partner in O’Don- A graduate of Georgetown University nell, Kennedy, Vespole & Piechta. He School of Foreign Service and Rutgers also has served as corporation counsel for University School of Law-Newark, Judge the City of Jersey City and taught at Hayden began her legal career in 1973 at Seton Hall University Law School. the Newark firm of Ball, Hayden, Liv- ingston & Smith. In 1985, she joined A graduate of St. Vincent College in La- the Environmental Protection Bureau of trobe, Pa., Judge Kennedy received his the New York Office of the Attorney law degree from Seton Hall University General as assistant attorney general. Law School. He began his legal career as a law clerk to Appellate Judge John F. In 1987, Judge Hayden joined Rutgers Lynch. University’s Environmental Law Clinic, where she worked as a senior attorney training law students in complex litiga- tion involving environmental law. She remained at Rutgers until joining the bench.

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Appellate Judge Mitchell E. Ostrer Appellate Judge Jerome M. St. John

Judge Mitchell E. Ostrer was elevated Judge Jerome M. St. John was elevated to the Appellate Division effective to the Appellate Division effective Aug. 1, 2011. Appointed to the Aug. 1, 2011. Appointed to the Supe- bench in 2003, he began his judicial rior Court in 2006, he served in the career in the civil division in the Mer- criminal division in the Essex Vici- cer Vicinage, moving to the family di- nage until 2009, when he was trans- vision in 2004 and to the criminal ferred to the civil division. He division in 2007. While on the returned to the criminal division in bench, Judge Ostrer has been a partici- 2010 and has remained there until his pant in the Advanced Science and elevation to the Appellate Division. Technology Adjudication Resource Center and has served on the Evi- A graduate of Villanova University dence Rules Committee. As an attor- and Seton Hall School of Law, Judge ney, he served on the District V-B St. John began his legal career in pri- Ethics Committee and the Model vate practice, first at the Newark firm Civil Jury Charge Committee. of Kraft & Hughes, and later as a part- ner at St. John & Wayne in Newark After receiving a Bachelor of Arts de- and New York City. gree from Hamilton College, Judge Ostrer earned a Master of Public Af- Judge St. John also served on the fairs degree from the Woodrow Wilson Essex Fells School Board and the School of Public and International Af- Essex Fells Town Council. He was fairs at Princeton University. He at- mayor of Essex Fells from 1996 to tended Columbia University School of 1998. From 2004 to 2005, he served as Law, receiving his law degree in 1979. chair of the Essex County Utilities He served as a law clerk to the late Authority. New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Sidney M. Schreiber.

Judge Ostrer served as assistant coun- sel to Gov. Brendan T. Byrne before joining the political campaign and, later, the Washington, D.C. staff of Sen. Frank Lautenberg, where he be- came legislative director. In 1992, he returned to New Jersey and became of counsel to the law firm of Sills Cum- mis & Gross in Newark, concentrating in commercial litigation. He joined Gov. Jim McGreevey’s administration in 2001, serving as his policy coun- selor before Gov. McGreevey ap- pointed him to the bench. Annual Report 2011- 2012 14 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

On the Move

Assignment Judge Julio L. Mendez Retired Assignment Judge Valerie Armstrong Assignment Judge Peter F. Bariso Jr.

Judge Julio L. Mendez Named Judge Valerie Armstrong Retires After Judge Peter F. Bariso Jr. Selected for Top Assignment Judge in the Atlantic/Cape 10 Years as Assignment Judge and 20 Hudson Vicinage Position May Vicinage Years on the Bench

Chief Justice Rabner appointed Julio L. Assignment Judge Valerie Armstrong re- Judge Peter F. Bariso Jr. took over as the Mendez to serve as the assignment judge in tired on Nov. 1, 2011 after serving for 10 Hudson Vicinage assignment judge on Dec. the Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage effective years as assignment judge of the 21, 2011. Appointed to the bench by Gov. Nov. 1, 2011. Judge Mendez was appointed Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage. Appointed Richard J. Codey in 2005, Judge Bariso was by Gov. Jim McGreevey in 2002 and began to the Superior Court in 1991 by Gov. Jim assigned to the civil division in Hudson his judicial service in the criminal division Florio, Judge Armstrong served in the fam- Vicinage. He was named presiding judge of of the Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem Vici- ily division since her appointment and was the division in 2006 and in July 2011 be- nage. In 2009, he moved to the family divi- named presiding judge of the division in came chair of the Conference of Civil Pre- sion. He was named family presiding judge 1995. She chaired the Conference of Pre- siding Judges. Judge Bariso also is the one year later, a role he filled until he was siding Family Judges from 1997 to 2000. former chair of the Supreme Court Arbi- tapped to be the assignment judge in At- Before her judicial appointment, Judge tration Advisory Committee and a member lantic/Cape May. Judge Mendez has served Armstrong served as an administrative law of the Supreme Court Committee on Jury as chair of the Children in Court Commit- judge and sat on the Casino Control Com- Voir Dire. He graduated magna cum laude teeof the Conference of Presiding Family mission, where she also served as vice- from Rutgers University and completed his Judges. He also served for six years on the chair. A graduate of Beaver College and law degree at Rutgers School of Law- Supreme Court Committee on Family Temple University School of Law, Judge Newark. He worked in private practice be- Practice, and he served as a member of the Armstrong worked in private practice be- fore his appointment to the bench. Supreme Court Advisory Committee on fore entering public service. Outside Activities.

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Retired Assignment Judge Assignment Judge Retired Assignment Judge Maurice J. Gallipoli Faustino J. Fernandez-Vina Francis J. Orlando Jr.

Assignment Judge Maurice J. Gal- Judge Faustino J. Fernandez-Vina Assignment Judge Francis J. Orlando lipoli Says Goodbye After a 25 Years Chosen to Lead the Camden Vicinage Jr. Retires After 20 Years on the on the Bench Bench Chief Justice Rabner named Judge After 25 years on the bench, and Faustino J. Fernandez-Vina assignment Assignment Judge Francis J. Orlando seven years as assignment judge, Judge judge of the Camden Vicinage effec- Jr., who served as the Camden Vici- Maurice J. Gallipoli retired from the tive Feb. 1, 2012. Judge Fernandez- nage assignment judge for 16 years, re- Judiciary on Feb. 6, 2012. Appointed Vina was appointed to the bench in tired on Feb. 1, 2012. He was in 1987, Judge Gallipoli served in the 2004 and served in the civil division of appointed to the bench in 1991 and civil division of the Hudson Vicinage the Camden Vicinage until 2006, remained in the Camden Vicinage for and was named civil presiding judge in when he moved to the family division. his entire judicial career. After serving 1988. He remained presiding judge In 2007, he was named presiding judge on the family bench for two years, he until assuming leadership of the vici- of the division, a position he held until moved to the civil division in 1993 nage in 2004. He served on a number he was named assignment judge. and was named civil presiding judge of Supreme Court committees, includ- While on the bench, the judge has one year later. He became assignment ing the Civil Practice Committee, the served on a number of Supreme Court judge on Feb. 1, 1996. A graduate of Committee on Electronic Filing, and Committees, including the Supreme Rutgers College and Rutgers School of the Arbitration Advisory Committee. Court Ad Hoc Committee on the Law-Camden, Judge Orlando practiced He chaired the Conference of Civil Code of Judicial Conduct and the law and also performed legal work for a Presiding Judges and the Judiciary’s In- Supreme Court Civil Practice Com- number of municipalities. He is a for- formation Technology Steering Com- mittee. He is a graduate of Widener mer mayor and council member of mittee during his time on the bench. University and Rutgers School of Law- Haddon Heights. A graduate of St. Peter’s College and Camden. He began his legal career as a New York University School of Law, law clerk to Superior Court Judge E. Judge Gallipoli worked in private prac- Stevenson Fluharty and worked in pri- tice until his appointment to the Su- vate practice until his appointment to perior Court. the Superior Court. Annual Report 2011- 2012 16 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Assignment Judge Mary C. Jacobson Retired Assignment Judge Linda R. Feinberg Deirdre M. Naughton Named Director of Professional and Judge Mary C. Jacobson Named Mercer Vicinage Assignment Governmental Services Assignment Judge for the Mercer Judge Linda R. Feinberg Retires Vicinage Deirdre M. Naughton was named Assignment Judge Linda R. Fein- director of Professional and Gov- Judge Mary C. Jacobson was se- berg, the second woman to serve as ernmental Services effective Jan. 1, lected by Chief Justice Stuart Rab- an assignment judge in the New Jer- 2012. ner to lead the Mercer Vicinage sey courts, retired from the Mercer effective March 1, 2012. Appointed Vicinage on March 1, 2012. Ap- She joined the Judiciary in 2007 as to the bench in 2001 by Gov. pointed to the bench in 1992, Judge counsel to the Advisory Committee Christie Whitman, Judge Jacobson Feinberg was selected to be the pre- on Judicial Conduct (ACJC). Prior sat on the civil bench in the Essex siding judge of the family division to joining the courts, she served for Vicinage before moving to the gen- in Mercer Vicinage only one year six years as assistant counsel to the eral equity division. She then later. Before her appointment to the New Jersey governor, where she moved to the Mercer Vicinage, Superior Court bench, Judge Fein- oversaw the process for judicial and hearing civil and then family cases. berg served as a municipal court prosecutorial appointments. She served as presiding judge of the judge in several communities. She family division from 2009 to 2010, served as the presiding judge of the As director, Naughton represents when she was named presiding municipal courts in Mercer County the Judiciary to the governor’s of- judge of general equity in the Mer- from 1998 to 1991. Judge Feinberg fice and the Legislature and coordi- cer Vicinage. holds a Bachelor of Arts degree nates judicial appointments and from Rider College and a law degree reappointments for the courts. She A graduate of Smith College and from the University of Akron also oversees judicial education, ju- New York University School of School of Law. Prior to her judicial dicial performance and the ACJC. Law, Judge Jacobson clerked for Ap- service, Judge Feinberg was an assis- pellate Division Judge Samuel tant professor in the Department of A graduate of St. Joseph’s Univer- Larner before joining the Division Law and Justice at Trenton State sity in Philadelphia and Rutgers of Law in the Department of Law College, now the College of New School of Law-Camden, Naughton and Public Safety. After 10 years in Jersey. She also served as an assis- served as a law clerk to Superior the environmental protection sec- tant prosecutor for Mercer County Court Judge Jack L. Lintner from tion, she was named appellate su- and, later, assistant Mercer County 1997 to 1998. She then worked in pervisor and, later, assistant counsel, in addition to working in private practice before entering attorney general. private practice. state service.

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The Trial Courts Family Division

criminal Division

civil Division

general equity You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Family Division Judiciary Expands Program The family division provides an impartial to Provide Juveniles with forum for couples to resolve disputes in- Detention Alternatives cluding divorce, dissolution of civil unions, child support, custody and visitation. The The Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative division also hears matters of domestic vio- (JDAI) continues to reduce the number of juveniles lence, juvenile delinquency, child abuse who are confined to detention while they await the and neglect, termination of parental rights, resolution of their cases. adoption and kinship guardianship. Although originally reserved for only those juve- niles considered a serious risk to the community, the use of detention expanded considerably in the The division strives to hear these matters 1990s. Between 1993 and 2002, juvenile arrests for quickly to provide important court protec- the most serious offenses decreased by nearly 25 per- tions such as restraining orders for victims cent, while the average daily detention population grew by almost 38 percent. The increase alarmed of domestic violence, out-of-home place- those in the juvenile justice community who were ments for children in unsafe family situa- concerned that removing youth from their commu- tions, and orders protecting other nities might be harmful to them while causing over- vulnerable litigants. Judges and staff receive crowding at county facilities and doing little to training in the emotional and cultural con- improve community safety. texts that could complicate family cases as The Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative they work to meet the short time goals as- (JDAI), funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, signed to most family case types. has brought together judges, court staff, public de- fenders, and representatives from the Juvenile Jus- tice Commission (JJC) to develop detention alternatives that will maintain community safety and allow juveniles to remain in their communities within their familiar support network. In addition to keeping youth out of detention, JDAI redirects re- sources toward successful reform strategies and im- proves conditions of confinement for those youth who require secure supervision.

Implemented in 2004 in Atlantic, Camden, Essex, Hudson and Monmouth counties, JDAI expanded to Bergen, Burlington, Mercer, Ocean and Union counties in 2006. In 2011, the program grew to in- clude Cumberland, Middlesex, Somerset, Passaic and Warren counties.

According to the 2011 JDAI Annual Report, com- mitments to detention facilities operated by the JJC have dropped by more than 60 percent, with 627 fewer youth committed to state custody since the implementation of JDAI. Facility overcrowding, which was once a significant problem that greatly increased risk of personal injury to youth and to staff, has been eliminated. The cost savings have been significant as well, as six detention centers have been closed since the program’s inception.

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Also from the report: • Comparing the year prior to JDAI in each site to the current year, across all 15 sites average daily Grant Provides population has decreased by 54.8 percent. On any given day, there were 446 fewer youth in secure Videoconferencing Technology detention, with youth of color accounting for 89.7 percent of this drop. to Speed Restraining

• Comparing the year prior to JDAI in each site to Order Process 2011, collectively across sites more than 6,000 fewer youth were admitted to detention, a decrease of Under the Hospital-to-Court and Safe-House-to-Court 59.8 percent. Assistance Project, victims of domestic violence can apply for temporary restraining orders by videoconference • Since JDAI implementation, the number of youth rather than having to go to court. The program, which admitted to detention for noncompliance with the now includes six hospitals and seven safe houses around rules of probation dropped -65.0 percent. Addition- the state, is funded by the federal Violence Against ally, youth admitted to detention for failing to Women Act. appear in court decreased by -53.7 percent, and the number of youth admitted for other violations, rule Timing is critical when dealing with incidents of domes- noncompliance, or non-delinquency matters tic violence. Victims who return home might be per- dropped by -33.2 percent. suaded by the abuser or by other family members or friends that future incidents are avoidable or unlikely, • The number of girls in detention on any given when in fact the opposite is true. By providing the oppor- day has decreased by -68.6 percent across the tunity to discuss the case with court staff or a judge while 15 sites. they are still at the hospital or another safe location, on- site videoconferencing at locations where victims seek • In 2011, across the twelve sites reporting treatment and shelter might encourage them to follow detention alternative outcome data, an average of through on their initial efforts to protect themselves. just 2.9 percent of youth were discharged from a detention alternative program as the result of a new The family divisions in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, delinquency charge, an indicator that JDAI public Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Middlesex, Mon- safety goals are being met. mouth, Morris, Passaic and Union counties have devel- oped the necessary videoconferencing links, with more New Jersey’s successful expansion of JDAI can be attrib- counties scheduled to implement the program in the uted to the state-level cooperation between the Judiciary, coming months. the JJC and other agencies. The statewide approach and statewide support have enabled the successful planning and development of local programs that meet statewide operational standards to ensure consistency in each county.

Many states have JDAI programs, but only New Jersey has been selected by the Casey Foundation as the model site for statewide implementation. The foundation pro- vides grants for representatives from other states to visit New Jersey to learn about the successful collaboration be- tween agencies and branches of government that has re- sulted in a significant reduction in the number of youths in detention. In 2012, a delegation from Ohio traveled to New Jersey to meet with judges, managers, probation offi- cers, and representatives from the JJC and the Office of the Public Defender to get an in-depth look at the pro- gram. Since 2008, New Jersey has hosted six states through the model site visit program.

Annual Report 2011- 2012 20 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

from drug court will have improved their level of educa- criminal Division tion or vocational skills while in the program.

The criminal division of Superior Court re- The Judiciary’s drug court program has admitted 1,593 new participants in Court Year 2012. Another 398 par- solves serious criminal cases such as murder, ticipants graduated during the Court Year, while 570 robbery, and drug trafficking. The division also moved into the fourth and final phase of the program. screens cases to determine if they are eligible There were 4,507 active drug court participants in the for drug court or for diversionary programs statewide program as of June 30, 2012. such as the pre-trial intervention program. In Court Year 2012, the statewide drug court program exceeded the admission goal of 1,559 and exceeded the prison diversion goal of 1,002 cases by diverting 1,110 Drug Courts Improving Lives cases. Drug court admissions increased by 12 percent from the previous year and offenders diverted from state and Communities prison increased by 35 percent.

New Jersey’s drug courts have transformed the lives of Veterans Assistance Project thousands of drug-addicted offenders by providing them with treatment rather than incarceration, intensive su- pervision and incentives to remake their lives. Drug The statewide Veterans Assistance Project is a com- courts are a highly specialized court process that func- bined effort of the Judiciary, the New Jersey Depart- tions within the existing Superior Court structure to ment of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the New address the non-violent, drug-addicted offender. Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health Services. Begun as a pilot in 2008 to Drug courts reflect a societal shift toward therapeutic provide referrals to existing community services as well jurisprudence, with focus moved to the offender rather as mentors for veterans, the project has resulted in than the offense. Frequent attendance in court and per- 1,633 referrals thus far, including 765 referrals in Court sonal interaction with the judge and other members of Year 2012. the drug court team have proven effective to coerce drug court participants to meet program requirements as Some veterans return from military service with physi- they progress toward recovery. cal, mental or personal issues and may turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to manage the stress of returning New Jersey’s drug court program began in 1997 as pilot to civilian life. The Veterans Assistance Project aims to programs in Camden and Passaic counties and then ex- connect service members who need help with existing panded into Essex, Union and Mercer counties in 1999. programs and mentors to address those issues. Equal access to drug courts was made available statewide in 2004. New Jersey has been a national The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs deter- leader in implementing a statewide program available mines which veterans are assigned mentors. The men- in every county. tors, active and retired veterans themselves, volunteer to work with defendants while their criminal cases are In Court Year 2012, a working group to assess the drug pending and afterward. They see that veterans receive courts was established. This working group is charged assistance and try to help them avoid behaviors that with assessing the various drug court teams to ensure might lead them back into the criminal justice system. that they are productive and well functioning.

In addition to improving rates of employment, health coverage and drivers’ licenses, drug court has improved the lives of participants’ families. More than 240 babies have been born drug-free to female drug court partici- pants, and 133 participants have regained custody of their minor children. The lives of more than 2,650 minor children have been improved considerably by their parents’ graduation from the drug court program. Moreover, 30 percent of all participants who graduate

21 New Jersey Judiciary You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library civil Division Involuntary Civil Outpa- tient Commitment The civil division of Superior Court resolves cases of monetary damages ranging from The Involuntary Outpatient Commitment (IOC) law small claims through complex commercial went into effect on Aug.11, 2010. The IOC statute litigation. While the circumstances of each creates a new treatment option, mandating court-or- dered supervision in the community as a less restrictive case are unique, the division has developed a alternative to inpatient hospitalization for treatment series of best practices for each type of case for the class of patients defined by the legislation. Un- to ensure statewide consistency and timely like involuntary and voluntary civil commitments, in- resolution for litigants. dividuals placed on IOC remain in the community during an involuntary outpatient commitment. Litigants seeking damages less than $3,000 file in small claims court, where the time goal for resolution Individuals are eligible for IOC if they: is two months. Cases involving damages between -are 18 years of age or older; $3,000 and $15,000 are filed in the special civil part, -have a mental illness that will make them danger- with a resolution time goal of four months. The civil ous to self, others, or property, division places cases valued at more than $15,000 -are likely to be dangerous in the reasonably fore- onto one of four tracks. Depending on their complex- seeable future, but not imminently; ity, the time goals for these cases range from 12 to 24 -have the capacity to participate in their treatment months. The civil division also consolidates multi- and development of their individual Wellness/Re- county litigation for certain tort claims into three covery Action Plan, even if unwilling to do so; and counties, Atlantic, Bergen and Middlesex, where -are not an imminent risk of a medical crisis centralized management helps to streamline the reso- lution of thousands of cases involving litigants seek- Initial and review IOC hearings and hearings to modify ing damages against a single defendant. treatment plans, address failures to comply with treat- ment plans and address conversions to involuntary The majority of cases filed with the civil division are commitments are conducted at local mental health fa- filed in the special civil part, which resolved 538,838 cilities or psychiatric hospitals. cases during Court Year 2012. A total of 292,312 cases were filed electronically using the Judiciary Mental health providers in six counties, Warren, Electronic Filing and Imaging System (JEFIS). With Hudson, Essex, Union, Burlington and Ocean, are JEFIS, the courts are able to address the enormous approved by the commissioner of the Department of caseload of special civil cases quickly and efficiently. Human Services to provide IOC treatment. Approximately 95 percent of the eligible special civil caseload is now filed and managed electronically. Judges, attorneys and court staff have instant access to court documents and information that help move cases through each step in the resolution process without delay. Resolved cases can remain in elec- tronic storage for easy retrieval without the cost of maintaining physical storage space.

Annual Report 2011- 2012 22 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

pending the outcome of a federal review of the fore- general equity closure practices of certain lenders. The courts antici- pate a surge in foreclosure filings when those lenders General equity cases involve non-monetary move forward with their foreclosure operations. disputes such as business dissolution issues, In 2010, the courts began using JEFIS to file foreclo- trade secrets, restrictive covenants, labor in- sure cases. JEFIS-Foreclosure allows the courts and junctions and mortgage and tax foreclosure the parties to access case files remotely. The files are actions. General equity cases are heard available instantly to attorneys or parties at any time, without a jury by a specially assigned judge even if they also are being reviewed by the judge or court staff. The system generates electronic notifica- within the chancery division. tions if cases are deficient and if new documents are filed. All cases are stored electronically, eliminating the additional cost of storage. The 2010 rollout of JEFIS-Foreclosure included extensive training for Judiciary Addresses judges, staff, and attorneys. Cases filed before the im- plementation date were backloaded into the system, Foreclosure Crisis giving the courts and court users immediate access to the convenience and efficiency of the new system. In Like many jurisdictions around the country, the New 2012, the system was upgraded to allow complaints, Jersey courts have seen a tremendous increase in fore- judgments and writs to be docketed automatically, fur- closure cases in recent years. While 29,851 foreclosure ther streamlining those processes. cases were filed in Court Year 2007, that figure in- creased to 45,117 cases in Court Year 2008, 60,107 cases in Court Year 2009 and 65,222 cases in Court Year 2010. Foreclosure filings declined significantly in Court Year 2011 and Court Year 2012, although much of this decline is attributed to increased scrutiny of foreclosure practices at the federal and state levels. In 2010, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued an order amending the Rules of Court to re- quire attorneys to file a certificate of diligent inquiry along with other documentation. Major lenders in New Jersey also were required to demonstrate their compliance with existing foreclosure laws. After a special master reviewed those submissions, lenders were allowed to continue filing foreclosure cases in the courts. However, many chose to delay filing,

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Tax Court of NJ: Back row, L to R: Christine N. Nugent; Mala Sundar; Joseph M. Andresini; Mary S. Brennan. Front row, L to R: Vito L. Bianco; Presiding Judge Patrick DeAlmeida; Gail L. Menyuk. Tax Court

The Tax Court of New Jersey is a statewide trial court Previously, only published Tax Court opinions, meaning that resolves disputes between taxpayers and local and opinions that set legal precedent, were available online. state taxing agencies. The Tax Court was created in On the days when opinions are issued, they are avail- 1979 as a convenient and effective forum for reviewing able at njcourts.com at 10 a.m. As with the Supreme state and local tax assessments. Through the Tax Court and Appellate Division opinions, they remain on Court, the New Jersey Judiciary has created a consistent the Judiciary website for 10 business days. After two and uniform body of tax law to guide taxpayers and tax- weeks, they are archived by Rutgers Law School – Cam- ing authorities. den.

Tax Court judges hear appeals directly from decisions of During the 2011-2012 court year, 15,556 complaints local tax assessors and the decisions of county boards of were docketed in the Tax Court of New Jersey. An addi- taxation, which hear property tax disputes involving tional 6,470 complaints were received but not docketed taxpayers and municipalities. They also hear appeals as of the last day of the court year. Thus, while appear- from decisions of the director of the Division of Taxa- ing that fewer cases were filed during the 2011-2012 tion on such matters as income tax, sales tax and busi- court year, when the backlog in docketing at the clerk’s ness tax as well as homestead rebate appeals. office is taken into account, it becomes clear that filings at the court remained steady at a historically high level. In October 2011, the Tax Court joined the Supreme Despite the continuing high number of filings, the Tax Court and Appellate Division in publishing all of its Court resolved 15,457 cases during this court year. At written decisions at njcourts.com for the convenience of the end of the court year, 35,798 cases remained open. attorneys, litigants, governing agencies and the public.

Annual Report 2011- 2012 24 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

The probation division en- forces court orders in a num- Probation ber of areas, including juvenile and adult supervi- sion and the collection of fines, restitution and child support.

Probation units rely heavily on technology to maximize their efficiency and effec- tiveness to manage the su- pervision and child support caseloads. Many probation officers now carry laptops and mobile devices that allow them to keep track of their clients, log their con- tacts, and conduct necessary research while in the com- munity rather than returning to their offices. Improve- ments to existing computer systems allow child support personnel to maintain better records and provide better service to their clients. You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Adult Supervision Intensive Supervision Program On June 30, 2012, there were 60,750 adult probationers under supervision by the probation division. The Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) provides an- The Judiciary provides extensive training to its proba- other cost-effective alternative to incarceration for non- tion officers to enhance their effectiveness as they su- violent offenders who complete the remainder of their pervise adult offenders and deter behavior that might prison term in the community under strict supervision harm clients or the community and lead to additional by specially trained ISP officers. ISP is highly structured criminal charges. During Court Year 2012, probation of- and emphasizes control, monitoring, surveillance and, ficers received training in case management, interview- when required, treatment for addiction or mental ill- ing skills, substance abuse, drug testing procedures, adult ness. More than 18,800 inmates have been released to and adolescent behaviors, and co-occurring disorders. ISP since 1983.

Specialized caseloads, such as clients with mental illness On June 30, 2012, ISP had 1,441 active participants. and those identified as sex offenders or domestic Each participant represents thousands of dollars saved abusers, are generally smaller caseloads that require pro- in incarceration costs. Because participants are required bation officers to receive even more training and prepa- to hold jobs and pay fines and restitution, the program ration. offers additional financial benefits to the state. During Court Year 2012, ISP disbursed more than $2.8 million Initiated with a grant from the U.S. Bureau of Justice, in court-required payments, including nearly $1.7 mil- the mental health caseload program provides a cost-ef- lion in restitution. The program also continued success- fective alternative to incarceration and hospitalization ful collection of child support. More than $168,000 was for mentally ill probationers. The program offers highly collected from participants during the year. structured supervision and access to community treat- ment and services. The grant has been in full operation Historically, the vast majority of participants are em- since May 2010, with 30 officers each overseeing case- ployed. During the past 10 years, the program averaged loads of up to 25 probationers. a 95 percent employment rate. During the recent reces- sion, ISP’s statewide employment rate dropped to about Officers receive ongoing training in suicide prevention, 85 percent. Because of new initiatives, such as pre-em- mental illness and criminal thinking, stress manage- ployment counseling, counseling on interviewing and ment and boundary development, co-occurring disor- dressing for success, and special employment programs ders, and motivational interviewing. Additional for ISP participants, the program was able to attain a training will cover pharmacology, personality character- statewide employment rate above 90 percent in Court istics and disorders, and crisis intervention. Year 2012. You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Comprehensive On June 30, 2012 CEP was monitoring the compliance of approximately 41,500 adults and juveniles in collec- Enforcement Program tions and community service caseloads as well as ap- proximately 66,500 adult and juvenile active supervision clients owing financial obligations. Ap- The Comprehensive Enforcement Program (CEP) proximately $22.8 million of the $31.1 million in total works to improve compliance with payment obliga- probation collections for Court Year 2012 were re- tions, including court-ordered restitution, fines, penal- ceived after the imposition of CEP strategies. CEP also ties, assessments, surcharges and judgments in matters has assisted vicinage staff in the enforcement of ap- that originate in the family and the criminal divisions proximately 1.4 million hours of community service of the Superior Court. CEP also enforces noncompli- hours during the Court Year. At the current minimum ance of court ordered community service obligations wage of $7.25 per hour, that service is worth about $10 that originate in both the Superior and municipal million. courts. CEP enforcement actions are taken on ISP par- ticipants with outstanding financial obligations follow- ing graduation. CEP provides enforcement hearings for other Judiciary components outside of probation, such Juvenile Supervision as hearings for those who fail to return a jury duty ques- tionnaire/summons document or who fail to appear for Juvenile Probation Services provides community super- jury service. In addition, CEP enforces judgments and vision for adjudicated youth, typically for a two-year restitution entered in favor of the Lawyers’ Fund for term, using the standard conditions of family probation Client Protection. approved by the New Jersey Supreme Court and any special conditions ordered by the judge. In addition to Enforcement of court orders means that victims receive youth ordered to a term of supervision, probation offi- compensation for their losses and that funding will be cers supervise youth placed on a deferred status, mean- available for important programs such as drug educa- ing the original complaint will be dismissed after a tion, drug testing, equipping municipal police officers period of time if the client complies with special condi- and assisting victims of sexual assault and domestic vio- tions. On June 30, 2012, Juvenile Probation Services lence. It also means that valuable community service was supervising and monitoring 7,438 clients statewide. hours are performed that provide governmental and nonprofit agencies with much needed manpower, re- The developmental issues and family circumstances of sulting in considerable savings to the public. Just as im- adjudicated youth create a special focus for Juvenile portant, CEP enforcement maintains the respect of the Probation Services. Probation officers use graduated public for the rule of law and the credibility of the judi- sanctions and incentives to encourage and reward com- cial process. pliance. The goal of juvenile probation is rehabilita- tion, so probation officers address treatment and school The CEP process begins with notices that are sent au- needs and employment readiness in addition to enforc- tomatically to clients who are in noncompliance with ing the standard and special conditions ordered by the court orders. Those who fail to comply with their obli- court. Probation officers work closely with parents and gations receive a summons to a CEP hearing to address guardians to ensure that the interventions introduced their noncompliance before a CEP hearing officer. are effective while under supervision and monitoring Willful noncompliance can result in the loss of driving and after probation is completed. A formal orientation privileges, the requirement to attend a Labor Assis- program for families of youth on probation has been tance Program or Enforced Community Service Pro- implemented in 10 counties, with more counties sched- gram. It also can result in additional fees, state income uled to join the program in the coming months. The tax refund offsets, civil judgments, income withhold- program provides families with a better understanding ing, probation extensions, increased reporting sched- of how probation services works and gives them infor- ules, and bench warrants for failure to appear. mation about other local agencies that can assist them.

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Juvenile Intensive Child Support Enforcement Supervision Program The child support enforcement unit monitors and enforces the collection of court-ordered child support and spousal Adjudicated youth who are deemed to be at high risk for support. As of June 30, 2012, there were 320,111 cases reoffending can be accepted into the Juvenile Intensive being enforced. Collections totaled $1.34 billion for Court Supervision Program (JISP). Youth involved in cases of Year 2012, a 2.1 percent increase over the previous year. first-degree crimes, sex crimes and arson are not eligible for the program. The goal of the program is to provide a Building on the success of NJKiDS, the web-based rehabilitative alternative to detention while preserving statewide child support computer system, continued re- public safety. finements and enhancements have promoted greater pro- ductivity, performance and coordination. NJKiDS is a Less costly than detention, the program allows partici- real-time system that interfaces seamlessly with the Judi- pants to remain in approved settings in the community, ciary’s Family Automate Case Tracking System (FACTS), keeping their support system intact. The program is more where family court matters involving child support and rigorous than standard juvenile probation, with more fre- spousal support issues are docketed. The interface with quent contact between probation officers and their clients, FACTS has enabled greater interdivisional coordination parents or guardians, school officials, treatment agencies and collaboration in the management of shared cases. and others in the community. Clients adhere to require- NJKiDS also has provided greater ability to seamlessly ments for curfews, attendance at school or work, commu- process work between the executive and judicial branches nity service, treatment programs for mental health and/or and incorporate tasks contracted out to vendors. substance addictions, restitution and fines. Compared to an approximate cost of $65,000 a year to detain a juvenile in a secure residential facility, the cost to supervise one JISP participant is about $17,500 annually.

In Court Year 2012, a total of 275 juveniles were in the program. Of those, approximately 79 percent completed the program or remain in the program, while 21 percent were terminated from the program due to violations or new arrests. Approximately 80 percent of those in the pro- gram were in compliance with their obligations to pay fines and restitution.

Annual Report 2011- 2012 28 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

MunicipalThe Court

Court Year 2012 Filings

Case Type Filings Indictable * 198,914 Disorderly/Petty Disorderly Persons 426,719 Other Non-Traffic 219,381 DWI 35,063 Other Traffic 2,764,573 Parking 2,485,204 Total 6,129,854

* Indictable matters filed in the municipal court are transferred to the Superior Court and county prosecutor for resolution. During Court Year 2012, the state’s 529 municipal courts re- ceived more than 6.1 million court filings. This 1.1 percent in- crease from Court Year 2011 re- verses a two-year trend in which the number of cases decreased. As reflected in the table above, the most common case types are traffic and parking matters. You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library The municipal courts New Videos Help the Public achieved a 7.1 percent re- and Attorneys Prepare for duction in backlogged cases Municipal Court during Court Year 2012, continuing a trend in back- Three new videos based on the model opening statement made log reduction that has con- by municipal court judges at the start of every municipal court session are now available on the Judiciary’s YouTube channel tinued for more than 10 to help defendants know what to expect when they come to mu- years. For example, in June nicipal court. The three videos provide opening statements for criminal sessions, traffic sessions and combined traffic and crimi- 2002, the municipal court nal sessions. The opening statements helps defendants and others backlog 809,270 cases. In understand the municipal court process and their rights. By watching the videos before they come to court, defendants can be June, 2012, that total was better prepared. reduced to 352,239, a de- Another video developed during Court Year 2012 provides attor- crease of 56 percent. neys with information on how to represent indigent defendants. Each year, approximately 2,000 New Jersey attorneys are assigned to provide free legal representation to defendants in certain types There were 35,063 DWI of cases, including contempt of domestic violence restraining or- cases filed in the municipal ders, municipal appeals and parole revocation hearings. To ensure that the assigned defendants receive high quality representation, courts during Court Year the Judiciary has developed training manuals, available on the Ju- 2012, a 2.1 percent decline diciary website, which explain in detail the applicable law in each type of assigned case. The video, which also will be online, pro- from the previous year. Due vides detailed instruction on how attorneys can defend a domestic to their seriousness and violence contempt case, the most common type of assigned case. Additional videos on municipal appeals and parole revocation complexity, DWI matters re- hearings also will be developed. quire significant bench time. During Court Year 2012, the Education and Training for Judiciary initiated an effort Judge and Staff Expanded to identify and resolve older The Judiciary’s four-day training program for new municipal DWI cases in which the de- court judges has been expanded to better prepare those just ap- fendant had failed to appear pointed to the municipal court bench. The expanded training is part of the Comprehensive Judicial Orientation Program and in court. A second initiative includes a one-on-one seminar between the new judge and the involved resolving cases in presiding municipal judge and a one-day observation of the pre- siding judge’s court proceedings by the new judge. which the defendant charged had two or more New training for municipal court staff also was implemented during Court Year 2012. Under the Rules of Court, municipal pending DWI cases. Both court directors and deputy municipal court administrators are initiatives promote public required to complete a 25-day Principals of Municipal Court Administration (POMCA) program to ensure that municipal safety and increase court ef- court staff are qualified, professional and conform to high stan- ficiency. Thus far, the mu- dards of conduct. During Court Year 2012, more than 700 peo- ple attended one or more levels of POMCA training. nicipal courts have resolved 98 percent of active cases Additional training is available in specialized areas such as bail, domestic violence, leadership and ethics. In 2012, a new course involving chronic DWI on determining probable cause was developed to give court ad- offenders. ministrators and deputies guidance as they fulfill the quasi-judi- cial role of determining probable cause and setting bail. Annual Report 2011- 2012 30 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Municipal Court Automation Enhanced

Enhancements to the municipal court Automated Traffic Over the past year the number of law enforcement agen- System and Automated Complaint System allow New cies using the e-ticketing web services has increased sig- Jersey counties and municipalities to contract with pri- nificantly, with more than 120 local law enforcement vate collection agencies in order to recover outstanding agencies, more than 1,000 local police vehicles and more court debt. In June 2012 the first municipality began im- than 500 state police vehicles now equipped with this plementing the collection process. The program could new technology. Through the expansion of e-ticketing, yield millions of dollars in outstanding court debt for par- red light cameras and the Parking Authority Ticketing ticipating towns. System, the municipal courts now process more than half of the municipal caseload electronically, with no hand- In Court Year 2012 the red light camera pilot program on involvement by local municipal court staff. The suc- was completed, with 25 participating municipalities ac- cess of those systems has enabled a major shift in how the tively issuing tickets. The 159 cameras in the pilot gener- courts do their work and a significant savings for the ate about 50,000 citations per month. The traffic towns taking advantage of them. citations are entered electronically by the vendor into the municipal traffic system and can be paid online through the NJMCDirect website.

31 New Jersey Judiciary YouVicinages Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

ASSIGNMENT JUDGES AND TRIAL COURT ADMINISTRATORS COURT YEAR 2012

Vicinage 1 Atlantic County Vicinage 9 Monmouth County Cape May County Assignment Judge Lawrence M. Lawson Assignment Judge Julio L. Mendez Trial Court Administrator Marsi L. Perkins Trial Court Administrator Howard H. Berchtold Jr.

Vicinage 10 Morris County Vicinage 2 Bergen County Sussex County

Assignment Judge Peter E. Doyne Assignment Judge Thomas L. Weisenbeck Trial Court Administrator Jon Goodman Trial Court Administrator Rashad Shabaka-Burns

Vicinage 3 Burlington County Vicinage 11 Passaic County

Assignment Judge Ronald E. Bookbinder Assignment Judge Donald J. Volkert Jr. Trial Court Administrator Jude Del Preore Trial Court Administrator Marie L. Faber

Vicinage 4 Camden County Vicinage 12 Union County

Assignment Judge Faustino J. Fernandez-Vina Assignment Judge Karen M. Cassidy Trial Court Administrator Michael O’Brien Trial Court Administrator Elizabeth Domingo

Vicinage 5 Essex County Vicinage 13 Hunterdon County Somerset County Assignment Judge Patricia K. Costello Warren County Trial Court Administrator Collins E. Ijoma Assignment Judge Yolanda Ciccone Trial Court Administrator Eugene L. Farkas Vicinage 6 Hudson County

Assignment Judge Peter F. Bariso Jr. Vicinage 14 Ocean County Trial Court Administrator Gerald A. Buccafusco Assignment Judge Vincent J. Grasso Trial Court Administrator Kenneth W. Kerwin Vicinage 7 Mercer County

Assignment Judge Mary C. Jacobson Vicinage 15 Cumberland County Trial Court Administrator Sue Regan Gloucester County Salem County

Vicinage 8 Middlesex County Assignment Judge Georgia M. Curio Trial Court Administrator Mark Sprock Assignment Judge Travis L. Francis Trial Court Administrator Gregory Edwards

Annual Report 2011- 2012 32 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

New Jersey Judicial Council

Seated (left to right): Assignment Judge Lawrence M. Lawson; Assignment Judge Patricia K. Costello; Chief Justice Stuart Rabner; Acting Administrative Director Glenn A. Grant; Assignment Judge Francis J. Orlando Jr.

Standing (left to right): Assignment Judge Ronald E. Bookbinder; Assignment Judge Thomas L. Weisenbeck; Judge Thomas P. Olivieri (Chair, Conference of General Equity Presiding Judges); Judge Eugene J. Codey Jr. (Chair, Conference of Civil Presiding Judges); Assignment Judge Georgia M. Curio; Assignment Judge Yolanda Ciccone; Assignment Judge Linda R. Feinberg; Assignment Judge Peter E. Doyne; Judge Peter J. Vazquez (Chair, Conference of Criminal Presiding Judges); Assignment Judge Donald J. Volkert Jr.; Assignment Judge Travis L. Francis; Assignment Judge Vincent J. Grasso; Assignment Judge Karen M. Cassidy; Assignment Judge Valerie H. Armstrong; Assignment Judge Maurice J. Gallipoli; Judge Bonnie J. Mizdol (Chair, Conference of Family Presiding Judges).

33 New Jersey Judiciary Supreme Court You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Stuart Rabner, Judges and Justices of the Chief Justice Barry T. Albin Helen E. Hoens NEW JERSEY JUDICIARY Jaynee LaVecchia as of June 30, 2012 Anne Murray Patterson

Superior Court Jane B. Cantor H. Matthew Curry Allison Accurso Ernest M. Caposela Daniel D’Alessandro Roberto Alcazar Dennis F. Carey III William A. Daniel Christine Allen-Jackson Harry G. Carroll Wendel E. Daniels Carmen H. Alvarez* Andrea Carter Cristen P. D’Arrigo William Anklowitz Alexander H. Carver III Rachel N. Davidson Melanie Donohue Appleby Michael R. Casale Lawrence P. De Bello Paul W. Armstrong Karen M. Cassidy Miguel A. De La Carrera Patrick J. Arre Joseph C. Cassini III Estela M. de la Cruz Victor Ashrafi* Regina Caulfield Edward J. DeFazio Eugene H. Austin Thomas W. Cavanagh Jr. Ralph L. De Luccia Jr. Mark A. Baber Joseph Charles Jr. Francis P. De Stefano Keith A. Bachman Timothy W. Chell Liliana S. DeAvila-Silebi Max A. Baker Randal C. Chiocca Bernadette N. DeCastro Marc M. Baldwin Lisa F. Chrystal Kathleen M. Delaney Peter F. Bariso Jr. Mark P. Ciarrocca William R. DeLorenzo Jr. Ann Reynolds Bartlett Yolanda Ciccone Bernard E. DeLury Jr. Raymond A. Batten Alfonse J. Cifelli James M. Demarzo David F. Bauman Frank M. Ciuffani James Den Uyl Linda G. Baxter* Marilyn C. Clark Paul M. DePascale Robert P. Becker Jr. Susan L. Claypoole Kenneth S. Domzalski Arthur Bergman Patricia Del Bueno Cleary Louise D. Donaldson Glenn J. Berman Denise A. Cobham Michael A. Donio Stephen J. Bernstein Mary Eva Colalillo Joseph P. Donohue Robert C. Billmeier Edward M. Coleman Charles W. Dortch Jr. James M. Blaney N. Peter Conforti Paula T. Dow Michael J. Blee Kyran Connor Peter E. Doyne Gwendolyn Blue Joseph S. Conte Katherine R. Dupuis Ronald E. Bookbinder Robert P. Contillo Madelin F. Einbinder Angela Borkowski Terrence R. Cook Richard W. English Terry Paul Bottinelli Mary K. Costello Catherine I. Enright Robert J. Brennan Patricia K. Costello Paul Escandon Kathryn A. Brock Gerald J. Council Marianne Espinosa* Thomas F. Brogan Jeanne T. Covert Nan S. Famular Noah Bronkesh John J. Coyle Jr. James A. Farber Greta Gooden Brown Thomas J. Critchley Timothy G. Farrell Thomas A. Brown Jr. Martin G. Cronin Christine A. Farrington Thomas M. Brown Evan H.C. Crook Douglas M. Fasciale* Peter A. Buchsbaum Mary Catherine Cuff* Bradley J. Ferencz Frank A. Buczynski Jr. Georgia M. Curio Faustino J. Fernandez-Vina John L. Call Heidi W. Currier Rudolph A. Filko

Annual Report 2011- 2012 34 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Darrell M. Fineman Sherry A. Hutchins Henderson Janetta D. Marbrey Lisa A. Firko James F. Hyland Joseph L. Marczyk Clarkson S. Fisher Jr.* Eugene A. Iadanza Julie M. Marino Catherine M. Fitzpatrick Alvaro L. Iglesias Lawrence M. Maron Mark J. Fleming Paul Innes Walter L. Marshall Jr. Sallyanne Floria David H. Ironson Brian R. Martinotti Colleen M. Flynn Joseph V. Isabella Anthony M. Massi Wayne J. Forrest James L. Jackson Susan F. Maven F. Lee Forrester Adam E. Jacobs Hany A. Mawla Margaret M. Foti Mary C. Jacobson Jessica R. Mayer Michele M. Fox Edward A. Jerejian Edward J. McBride Jr. Travis L. Francis Pedro J. Jimenez Jr. Eugene J. McCaffrey Jr. Sheldon R. Franklin Nelson C. Johnson Ann Graf McCormick Ronald J. Freeman Harold U. Johnson Jr. Frederic R. McDaniel Richard M. Freid Lawrence R. Jones Anne McDonnell Lisa Perez Friscia Linda Grasso Jones James J. McGann Jose L. Fuentes* Marquis D. Jones Jr. William J. McGovern III Garry J. Furnari John A. Jorgensen II Francis A. McGrogan Donna Gallucio Lesley-Ann M. Justus F. Patrick McManimon Edward V. Gannon Joseph E. Kane Jean B. McMaster Robert H. Gardner Paul A. Kapalko Margaret Mary McVeigh Christopher J. Garrenger Michael Kassel Robert J. Mega Richard J. Geiger David B. Katz Peter J. Melchionne Melvin L. Gelade Deborah Silverman Katz Octavia Melendez J. Christopher Gibson John T. Kelley Anthony J. Mellaci Jr. Robert J. Gilson John C. Kennedy* Louis R. Meloni Rochelle Gizinski Camille M. Kenny Julio L. Mendez Arnold B. Goldman Donald A. Kessler Carmen Messano* Margaret Goodzeit Frederic S. Kessler E. David Millard Jane Grall* Honora O’Brien Kilgallen Robert G. Millenky Glenn A. Grant* Robert Kirsch Thomas C. Miller Vincent J. Grasso Harriet Farber Klein Stuart A. Minkowitz Ronald B. Graves* Ellen L. Koblitz* Bonnie J. Mizdol Anthony J. Graziano Teresa A. Kondrup-Coyle Philip H. Mizzone Jr. Kenneth J. Grispin Walter Koprowski Jr. Sohail Mohammed Michael A. Guadagno David E. Krell Bruno Mongiardo James J. Guida Fred H. Kumpf Thomas M. Moore Nestor F. Guzman Thomas J. LaConte David W. Morgan Michael J. Haas John J. Langan Jr. Scott J. Moynihan Philip E. Haines Linda L. Lawhun John T. Mullaney Jr. Stephan C. Hansbury Lawrence M. Lawson Samuel D. Natal Jamie D. Happas Verna G. Leath Mark J. Nelson John E. Harrington Vincent LeBlon Michael J. Nelson Jonathan N. Harris* George S. Leone Steven F. Nemeth Rachelle L. Harz Kenneth S. Levy Maryann L. Nergaard Margaret M. Hayden* Jeffrey D. Light Dennis V. Nieves James Hely Severiano Lisboa III William E. Nugent* Carol E. Higbee Allen J. Littlefield Dennis R. O’Brien Francis Hodgson Jr. Sebastian P. Lombardi Amy O’Connor Richard S. Hoffman Philip J. Maenza Edward T. O’Connor Jr. Ronald E. Hoffman Colleen A. Maier Mirtha Ospina Stephen M. Holden Robert G. Malestein Mitchel E. Ostrer* Michelle Hollar-Gregory John F. Malone Phillip Lewis Paley Michael E. Hubner Thomas V. Manahan James W. Palmer Jr. Douglas H. Hurd Maureen B. Mantineo Joseph Paone

35 New Jersey Judiciary You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Anthony J. Parrillo* Ronny Jo Siegel Gary D. Wodlinger Edith K. Payne* Marie P. Simonelli* Carolyn E. Wright Stuart L. Peim Nancy Sivilli Michael P. Wright Darlene J. Pereksta Kenneth J. Slomienski Daniel J. Yablonsky Jamie S. Perri Janet Zoltanski Smith Joseph L. Yannoti* John A. Peterson Jr. Kevin T. Smith John A. Young Jr. Michael A. Petrolle Irvin J. Snyder Anthony F. Picheca Jr. Maureen P. Sogluizzo Diane Pincus Lee A. Solomon Steven J. Polansky Jerome M. St. John* Tax Court Robert L. Polifroni Susan J. Steele Joseph A. Portelli Barbara Clarke Stolte Patrick DeAlmeida, Presiding Judge John C. Porto Esther Suarez Joseph M. Andresini Charles E. Powers Jr. Thomas W. Sumners Jr. Francine I. Axelrad* Anthony M. Pugliese Karen L. Suter Vito L. Bianco Lorraine Pullen James R. Swift Mary Siobhan Brennan Joseph P. Quinn John R. Tassini Angelo J. DiCamillo Kimarie Rahill Siobhan A. Teare Joseph L. Foster Rosemary E. Ramsay Benjamin C. Telsey James E. Isman David B. Rand Frederick J. Theemling Jr. Marie E. Lihotz* John R. Rauh Lisa P. Thornton Gail L. Menyuk Michael L. Ravin Mary F. Thurber Christine M. Nugent Joseph L. Rea William C. Todd III Mala Sundar Raymond A. Reddin John Tomasello Robert B. Reed Menelaus W. Toskos *Appellate Division Ronald L. Reisner Michael A. Toto Susan L. Reisner* James G. Troiano M. Patricia Richmond Mark A. Troncone Nancy L. Ridgway Joseph A. Turula Alberto Rivas Peter J. Vazquez Ariel A. Rodriguez* Hector R. Velazquez Patricia B. Roe Thomas R. Vena Marybeth Rogers Sheila Ann Venable George F. Rohde Jr. Deborah J. Venezia Patrick J. Roma Donald R. Venezia Joseph R. Rosa Jr. Francis J. Vernoia Lisa Rose Paul J. Vichness Ned M. Rosenberg Lisa M. Vignuolo James S. Rothschild Jr. Ana C. Viscomi Garry S. Rothstadt Donald J. Volkert Jr. Martha T. Royster Thomas J. Walsh Stephen B. Rubin Peter E. Warshaw Mark M. Russello Cathy L. Wasserman Peter V. Ryan Alexander P. Waugh Jr.* Jack M. Sabatino* Stephanie M. Wauters Mark H. Sandson Dorthea O’C. Wefing* Lourdes I. Santiago Barry A. Weisberg Ramona A. Santiago Thomas L. Weisenbeck Paulette Sapp-Peterson* Craig L. Wellerson Barry P. Sarkisian Richard F. Wells James P. Savio Mary Gibbons Whipple Louise S. Sceusi Mary K. White Francine A. Schott Ronald D. Wigler Frederick J. Schuck Gary N. Wilcox Francis B. Schultz Patricia M. Wild Thomas F. Scully Deanne M. Wilson John E. Selser Robert C. Wilson

Annual Report 2011- 2012 36 You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Trial Court Filings, Resolutions and Backlog by Division Filings Resolutions Inventory Backlog (Active Cases Pending (Active Cases Pending Within Time Goals) Over Time Goals) July 2010 July 2011 July 2010 July 2011 percent percent percent percent to to change to to change change June 2011 June 2012 June 2011 June 2012 June 2011 June 2012 June 2011 June 2012 change Criminal Division Indictable Cases 49,412 48,767 -1% 50,053 48,239 -4% 8,859 9,119 3% 6,502 7,357 13% Municipal Appeals 1,087 1,035 -5% 1,170 1,065 -9% 230 251 9% 198 152 -23% Post-Conviction Relief 1,005 1,074 7% 959 946 -1% 644 767 19% 247 288 17% General Equity 6,852 4,866 -29% 6,844 5,854 -14% 2,318 1,787 -23% 1,111 704 -37% Contested Foreclosure 3,763 1,904 -49% 3,675 2,750 -25% 1,075 666 -38% 808 403 -50% Equity (excluding foreclosure) 3,089 2,962 -4% 3,169 3,104 -2% 1,243 1,121 -10% 303 301 -1% Civil Division Civil 106,449 96,611 -9% 102,937 99,045 -4% 82,064 82,998 1% 17,560 15,722 -10% Multicounty litigation 7,127 8,340 17% 1,116 4,377 292% 8,305 13,894 67% 4,783 3,526 -26% Non-multicounty litigation 99,322 88,271 -11% 101,821 94,668 -7% 73,759 69,104 -6% 12,777 12,196 -5% Special Civil 594,716 529,585 -11% 597,539 538,838 -10% 53,866 45,341 -16% 538 428 -20% Special Civil - Auto 1,591 1,557 -2% 1,546 1,608 4% 236 199 -16% 19 9 -53% Special Civil - Contract 363,818 303,710 -17% 365,862 312,758 -15% 40,541 31,776 -22% 425 363 -15% Special Civil - Other 9,066 6,526 -28% 9,387 6,598 -30% 978 895 -8% 49 31 -37% Special Civil - Small Claims 48,307 45,531 -6% 49,198 45,597 -7% 2,258 2,394 6% 26 17 -35% Special Civil - Tenancy 171,934 172,261 0% 171,546 172,277 0% 9,853 10,077 2% 19 8 -58% Probate 6,337 6,232 -2% 6,228 6,301 1% 1,673 1,658 -1% 158 148 -6% Family Division Dissolution 68,620 69,168 1% 68,774 69,195 1% 18,086 17,756 -2% 1,109 1,342 21% Delinquency 44,986 40,403 -10% 45,782 40,738 -11% 3,297 2,966 -10% 152 159 5% Non-Dissolution 161,010 160,495 -0% 160,218 161,399 1% 11,972 10,817 -10% 439 422 -4% Domestic Violence 57,178 54,371 -5% 57,443 54,342 -5% 1,453 1,422 -2% 61 83 36% Abuse/Neglect 4,028 4,737 18% 4,304 4,417 3% 4,649 5,017 8% 165 114 -31% Adoption 1,831 2,047 12% 1,893 2,096 11% 391 401 3% Child Placement Review 4,553 5,661 24% 5,242 5,449 4% 7,723 8,007 4% 70 35 -50% Juvenile/Family Crisis 503 476 -5% 502 489 -3% 24 10 -58% 3 4 33% Term of Parental Rights 1,018 904 -11% 1,073 964 -10% 378 366 -3% 247 199 -19% Criminal/Quasi-Criminal 9,341 8,416 -10% 9,369 8,498 -9% 797 727 -9% 33 28 -15% Kinship 659 668 1% 681 679 -0% 86 77 -10% 9 8 -11%

Total 1,119,585 1,035,516 -8% 1,121,011 1,048,554 -6% 198,510 189,487 -5% 28,602 27,193 -5%

As of March 2012, the post-conviction relief backlog goal was revised fro 3 months to 12 months. Historical data has been adjusted.

37 New Jersey Judiciary You Are Viewing an Archived Copy from the New Jersey State Library

Trial Court Filings, Resolutions and Backlog by County Filings Resolutions Inventory Backlog (Active Cases Pending (Active Cases Pending Within Time Goals) Over Time Goals) July 2010 July 2011 July 2010 July 2011 percent percent percent percent to to change to to change change June 2011 June 2012 June 2011 June 2012 June 2011 June 2012 June 2011 June 2012 change Atlantic 54,598 52,557 -4% 48,835 47,323 -3% 15,178 19,674 30% 2,411 3,208 33% Multicounty Litigation 6,020 7,056 17% 282 1,080 283% 6,789 11,978 76% 851 1,955 130% Non Multicounty Litigation 48,578 45,501 -6% 48,553 46,243 -5% 8,389 7,696 -8% 1,560 1,253 -20% Bergen 93,884 81,902 -13% 94,757 85,125 -10% 16,606 15,039 -9% 1,159 1,587 37% Multicounty Litigation 945 779 -18% 468 201 -57% 1,131 1,315 16% 29 425 1366% Non-Multicounty Litigation 92,939 81,123 -13% 94,289 84,924 -10% 15,475 13,724 -11% 1,130 1,162 3% Burlington 51,979 47,405 -9% 52,435 47,854 -9% 8,748 8,304 -5% 936 854 -9% Camden 77,307 72,565 -6% 78,282 73,995 -5% 13,575 12,402 -9% 1,375 1,183 -14% Cape May 14,728 13,538 -8% 14,653 14,032 -4% 2,424 2,013 -17% 366 300 -18% Cumberland 29,803 28,884 -3% 30,054 28,468 -5% 3,745 4,001 7% 531 627 18% Essex 147,823 140,350 -5% 148,908 140,933 -5% 25,086 24,339 -3% 3,037 3,507 15% Gloucester 33,759 31,308 -7% 33,947 31,697 -7% 5,695 5,331 -6% 725 712 -2% Hudson 95,539 88,839 -7% 94,930 90,141 -5% 16,094 14,839 -8% 1,625 1,601 -1% Hunterdon 8,729 7,776 -11% 8,786 7,851 - 11% 1,590 1,475 -7% 182 207 14% Mercer 48,835 46,626 -5% 49,409 47,317 -4% 8,036 7,314 -9% 1,242 1,273 2% Middlesex 88,940 81,498 -8% 89,417 85,756 -4% 16,955 15,523 -8% 5,981 3,084 -48% Multicounty Litigation 162 505 212% 366 3,096 746% 385 601 56% 3,903 1,146 -71% Non Multicounty Litigation 88,778 80,993 -9% 89,051 82,660 -7% 16,570 14,922 -10% 2,078 1,938 -7% Monmouth 71,913 64,088 -11% 72,741 65,592 -10% 12,479 10,849 -13% 2,068 2,211 7% Morris 36,758 33,009 -10% 37,006 33,678 -9% 7,017 6,402 -9% 1,200 1,138 -5% Ocean 60,348 56,016 -7% 61,280 56,801 -7% 10,311 9,526 -8% 1,329 1,290 -3% Passaic 70,481 63,921 -9% 70,409 65,001 -8% 12,455 11,540 -7% 1,100 1,108 1% Salem 11,207 11,355 1% 11,450 11,423 -0% 1,526 1,511 -1% 121 99 -18% Somerset 26,238 24,266 -8% 26,431 24,847 -6% 4,668 4,156 -11% 873 801 -8% Sussex 15,023 13,144 -13% 15,259 13,198 -14% 2,365 2,297 -3% 360 360 0% Union 70,002 65,624 -6% 70,160 66,502 -5% 12,268 11,355 -7% 1,752 1,854 6% Warren 11,691 10,845 -7% 11,862 11,020 -7% 1,689 1,597 -5% 229 189 -17% Total 1,119,585 1,035,516 -8% 1,121,011 1,048,554 -6% 198,510 189,487 -5% 28,602 27,193 -5% Multicounty Litigation 7,127 8,340 17% 1,116 4,377 292% 8,305 13,894 67% 4,783 3,526 -26% Non Multicounty Litigation 1,112,458 1,027,176 -8% 1,119,895 1,044,177 -7% 190,205 175,593 -8% 23,819 23,667 -1%

As of March 2012, the post-conviction relief backlog goal was revised from 3 months to 12 months. Historical data has been adjusted.

Annual Report 2011- 2012 38