NJ reports lowest judicial vacancy rate in two decades

The basics:

• 16 Superior Court judges confirmed, leaving 11 vacancies statewide
• 17 of 21 counties now have zero judicial vacancies
• Judicial appointments under Murphy reach 458, over half initially appointed by him
• Reduction in vacancies improves trial scheduling, court operations statewide

New Jersey continues to chip away at a shortage of Superior Court judges that persisted over the past few years.

Following the state Senate’s Jan. 12 confirmation of 16 candidates nominated by Gov. Phil Murphy, the number of vacancies sits at 11, according to the New Jersey Supreme Court. That is also the lowest level in more than two decades, Murphy’s office said in a news release. The milestone comes as the Democratic governor prepares to leave office Jan. 20 after two terms.

According to the courts, the following judges received confirmation:

Burlington County

Janine Danks Fox

Essex County

Kandace Clark
Kevin O’Connor
John Chiaia
Joseph Minish
Francis Kapusinski

Middlesex County

Jacqueline Boulos
Falguni Patel
William Waldron

Monmouth County

Lawrence Shapiro
Aurelio Vincitore

Ocean County

Shantika Dorsey
James Pastor

Passaic County

William Neafsey
Adam Adrignolo

Union County

Jeffrey Noonan

Hitting zero

Currently, the number of judgeships in New Jersey is 463, according to the courts. New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner has said he believes the judiciary can operate sustainably if vacancies are between 25 and 30. However, the state has spent the past four years with an average of more than 60 vacancies.

As a result, that’s triggered trial suspensions and delays to existing proceedings.

The number of judicial vacancies peaked at 78 in the spring of 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor’s office said.

After halting civil and divorce trials two-and-a-half years ago in Vicinages 11 (Passaic County), 13 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren counties), and 15 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties), Rabner lifted the moratoriums in April 2024, March 2024 and July 2023, respectively.

Today, 17 out of New Jersey’s 21 counties have zero vacancies, according to the governor’s office. The remaining 11 vacancies exist across Bergen, Camden, Passaic and Union counties, the administration said.

In a statement, Murphy said, “Since taking office, we have been laser-focused on appointing high-quality nominees to the Superior Court from across the legal profession. Our Administration is proud to leave the Judiciary nearly fully staffed, ensuring that more New Jerseyans get the justice they deserve in a timely manner. I am grateful to the Senate, and in particular Senate President Nick Scutari and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Brian Stack, for their partnership over the years in filling the judicial vacancies that surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Our Administration is proud to leave the Judiciary nearly fully staffed, ensuring that more New Jerseyans get the justice they deserve in a timely manner.
– Gov. Phil Murphy

Of the state’s 463 superior court seats, more than half have been initially appointed by Murphy, according to his office.

He has also reappointed hundreds of sitting Superior Court judges, resulting in a total of 458 appointments and reappointments. The prior gubernatorial administration had a total of 418 appointments and reappointments, Murphy’s office noted.

‘The process can’t stop here’

State Sen. President Nicholas Scutari, D-22nd District, commented, “The Senate has been working in partnership with Gov. Murphy to maintain high standards of excellence in selecting and confirming highly-qualified judges. We take our responsibility of advice and consent seriously as we succeeded in filling a record number of vacancies so that our courts will operate effectively.”

State Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco, R-25th District, added, “Reducing judicial vacancies to the lowest level in more than two decades is an important step forward for New Jersey’s justice system.”

“However, the process can’t stop here. This progress started out extremely slow with the last few years of sustained effort, and we cannot take it for granted. Our courts function best when vacancies are the exception, not the rule, and the new administration must prioritize timely, qualified confirmations with the goal of a fully staffed judiciary so justice is delivered across the Garden State without delay,” he said.

Key members of the State Senate Judiciary Committee celebrated the progress in strengthening the state’s court system.

Sen. Brian Stack, D-33rd District, shared, “Reducing vacancies on the bench has been imperative and remains a top priority of the Senate to ensure our courts function efficiently, fairly, and without unnecessary delay.”

State Sen. Senator Kristin Corrado, R-40th District, said, “Filling 245 judicial vacancies is a significant milestone and a testament to the collaborative efforts to strengthen our judiciary.”

“While this progress is encouraging, there is still important work ahead,” added Corrado, a ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Vacancies still remain and it is critical that we sustain this momentum so every courtroom across New Jersey is fully staffed. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to close the remaining gaps and uphold the integrity and efficiency of our justice system.”