PATERSON, NJ – Passaic County will join Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren counties in temporarily halting civil and divorce trials due to a shortage of judges.
This shortage poses a significant risk to children who are caught in limbo, according to Assemblywoman Aura Dunn. She is urging Governor Phil Murphy and Senate leadership to prioritize the judicial confirmation process so that family court cases can resume.
“The consistent judge shortage creates a real concern for child safety and wellbeing, especially for kids living in North Jersey who are now on hold indefinitely. It is yet another indication that this administration and Senate leadership does not put family first,” said Dunn, a Republican from Morris County.
New Jersey currently has 55 judicial vacancies, and if no judges are confirmed this summer, there will be 62 vacancies by September 1 due to retirements.
Courts consider a vacancy of 25 to 30 judges manageable.
“New Jersey’s courts are at an impasse because of the judge shortage, and there is no real commitment from Democrats that the Senate Judiciary Committee will meet in July or August. Meanwhile, children are waiting on official custody decisions and possibly living in situations that are not healthy mentally or physically,” Dunn said.
Senator Brian Stack, a Democrat, chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has 18 Superior Court nominees pending.
“The purpose of my call to action is to convey the real sense of urgency that everyday families are feeling and prevent children from becoming victim to a broken justice system. I implore our state leaders to protect New Jersey’s vulnerable children by immediately addressing the shortage,” Dunn added.