Filko Tapped As Judge To Lead Passaic Vicinage

PASSAIC CO., NJ — Superior Court Judge Rudolph A. Filko will lead the Passaic district of the New Jersey Courts following the retirement of Assignment Judge Ernest M. Caposela.

Judge Filko has been the presiding judge of the family division in Passaic since 2016 and presided over the adult recovery court program in the vicinage for five years, Rabner added. He will succeed Caposela effective May 31.

Caposela has been on the bench for nearly 24 years, including more than eight as assignment judge according to Chief Justice Stuart Rabner.

“Judge Caposela played an invaluable role the early success of Criminal Justice Reform in New Jersey, shepherding its first pilot program and helping both fellow judges and the public understand its benefits,” Rabner said. "He also served as co-chair of a committee to reduce gun violence in our communities. His thoughtful leadership will be long felt in both the Passaic Vicinage and throughout New Jersey. Fortunately, Judge Filko’s broad experience will enable him to lead the vicinage with skill and insight in the years ahead."

Filko joined the bench on Jan. 30, 2008 after being nominated by former Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, and received tenure in 2015. He began his judicial career in the civil division and has presided over cases in the family and criminal division since, as well as served as juvenile drug court judge for two years according to the state judiciary.

“I would like to thank Chief Justice Rabner for his strong leadership and the confidence he has shown in me," said Filko in a news release from the NJ Courts. "I am humbled and excited by the appointment as assignment judge of the Passaic Vicinage. I also wish to thank Judge Caposela for his guidance, support and outstanding leadership as our assignment judge. I look forward to continuing a close working relationship with our bar and with the dedicated, hard-working judges, managers, and staff in our vicinage."

Rabner said that Superior Court Judge Yolanda Adrianzen, who has been assigned to the family division since her appointment in 2015, will assume Filko’s duties as presiding judge of that division.