Ciarrocca To Take Judicial Oath

Former Councilman Mark Ciarrocca will be donning a black robe and taking possession of a gavel Tuesday afternoon in Elizabeth.

Ciarrocca, who represented the third ward for seven-and-a-half years, will be sworn-in as a judge of the state Superior Court during a ceremony in Elizabeth Tuesday afternoon. The ceremony will start at 4:30 p.m. at the Union County Courthouse. 

Mayor Andy Skibitsky is expected to lead a delegation of Westfield officials to the ceremony. Skibitsky announced last month that he would be honoring Ciarrocca for his town accomplishments during the swearing-in ceremony.

Ciarrocca was by Gov. Chris Christie as a state judge in June and was by the state Senate a week later. Ciarrocca from the Town Council and dropped his bid for a third term following the appointment.

Ciarrocca, who ran a private law practice in Union Township, was in the final year of his second four-year term as a councilman when he received the judgeship. Regarded as one of the most powerful councilmembers in town, Ciarrocca held the posts of acting mayor, finance chairman and public safety chairman during his time as a councilman. He was the Council's liaison to the and during his term.

Ciarrocca has also been involved in a variety of community activities, including serving as president of Contact We Care and as a PAL football coach.

Ciarrocca will attend new judges school following his swearing-in, along with receiving his judicial assignment from Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and County Assignment Judge Karen Cassidy. Ciarrocca can either be assigned to hear civil, criminal or family cases. Many new judges start off in family court.

The three other Westfield residents who currently serve as Superior Court judges - , and - all serve in family court.