New Jersey Courts

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner today administered the oath of office to John Jay Hoffman, the newest associate justice of the Supreme Court. Justice Hoffman’s addition to the state’s highest court brings the bench to its full complement of seven after the retirement this summer of Justice Lee Solomon.

Senior Probation Officer Kayleigh Johannemann of the Mercer Vicinage gave a presentation at the Mercer County Reentry Coalition’s community reentry roundtable meeting recently. With more than 35 non-profit, government and corporate organizations and agencies in attendance, the meeting focused on creating a path to education and employment for those who have been involved in the justice system. For more information and for upcoming meetings, please email mercercountyreentrycoalition@gmail.com

Staff from the Mercer Vicinage celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month on Monday with the program “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future.” Superior Court Assignment Judge Robert Lougy and Senior Probation Officer Alba Medina gave opening remarks. Superior Court Judge Emilia Perez gave the keynote address. The event featured a musical performance, a display of cultural items, traditional Latin dishes, drinks, desserts and more. 

To attend this upcoming career and resource fair, please see the flyer below.

Staff from the Ocean Vicinage set up a table at the Ocean County Probation Job Fair at the Ocean County Library in Toms River today to discuss with attendees career opportunities with the New Jersey Judiciary. Criminal Division Presiding Judge Guy Ryan stopped by to visit with Employment Specialist Rob Tracy and Court Services Supervisors Heather Hynes and Kara Santiago and attendees of the event, which included many hiring agencies and organizations. 

Presiding Municipal Court Judge Louis J. Belasco from the Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage hosted international students in North Wildwood Municipal Court recently. When talking with Judge Belasco, the students learned about the American judicial system, federal, state and local municipalities, and the process of becoming a judge. The students, from Spain, Taiwan and Thailand, were in the U.S. on work visas throughout the summer.

The Passaic Vicinage’s Funshine Committee hosted its first lunchtime games yesterday. With more than 50 staff and judges registered for the event, it was a lunch hour filled with food, games and some friendly competition. Employees competed in games of Jenga, Chess, Scrabble, Trouble, Connect Four and more. 

Ten participants celebrated their graduation from the recovery court program in Morris County on Tuesday. Superior Court Judge Robert M. Hanna presided over the ceremony, which was held at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy. Morris/Sussex Vicinage Assignment Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz shared congratulatory remarks and Michael Frank, founder and CEO of the Milestone House and Excel Treatment Center in Dover, gave the keynote address. Congratulations to the graduates!

Julia Covin, EEO officer from the Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren Vicinage, Cara Giovinazzo, EEO/AA officer from the Mercer Vicinage, and Mishanda Brown, EEO coordinator from the Administrative Office of the Courts, staffed a table at The College of New Jersey’s career fair yesterday. Attendees were able to learn about career and internship opportunities with the Judiciary.

Staff from the Essex Vicinage’s Pretrial Services Sunshine Morale Committee celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a gathering where employees shared food of their culture and ethnicity. The celebration helped the unit promote cultural awareness among employees.