Judge Shortage Continues To Halt Civil, Matrimonial Trials In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Civil and matrimonial trials remain in Somerset County as a judicial "vacancy crisis" persists.

"Because there are still not enough judges to conduct civil and matrimonial trials in Vicinage 13, the moratorium on conducting those trials regrettably remains in place," said New Jersey's Chief Justice Stuart Rabner in an updated statement.

For the past three years, the court system has operated with an average of more than 60 vacancies. On July 6, Rabner reported the number went down to 53 judge vacancies statewide, compared to 58 in mid-April and 69 in February.

"The situation in certain parts of the state, however, continues to pose a challenge," said Rabner.

There will be no civil or matrimonial trials in Passaic County "except for very limited circumstances" beginning July 31, as the Passaic Vicinage has seven out of 28 judge seats vacant.

"The Judiciary’s goal is to serve the public by providing a place to resolve disputes fairly and expeditiously. In order to do so in every vicinage, we respectfully ask the Executive and Legislative branches to continue to address the critical issue of judicial vacancies in a timely manner,” said Rabner. Read More: NJ Judge Shortage: Civil Trials Resume In 3 Counties, Halt In 1 Other

— With reporting by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson,Patch Staff

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