Order – Municipal Court Judge Henry L. Warner Designated as Municipal Court Presiding Judge for the Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage

SUPREME COURT OF NEW JERSEY 

          It is ORDERED that, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2B:12-9, Municipal Court Judge Henry L. Warner is designated as the Municipal Court Presiding Judge for Vicinage 1 (Atlantic/Cape May Counties), effective November 1, 2024 and until further Order; and  

          It is FURTHER ORDERED that under the direction of the Assignment Judge of the Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage, Municipal Court Presiding Judge Warner will supervise the Vicinage’s Municipal Division and oversee all Municipal Courts in the Vicinage. As part of the Judiciary’s management structure, Presiding Judge Warner and the Municipal Division Manager comprise the executive component of the Vicinage’s Municipal Division; and 

           It is FURTHER ORDERED that Municipal Court Presiding Judge Warner is hereby delegated authority, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2B:12-9, to exercise the powers necessary to perform the following administrative duties in the Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage:

1. Be responsible for the implementation and enforcement in the Municipal Courts of all administrative rules, policies, and directives of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice, the Administrative Director, and the Vicinage Assignment Judge;
2.  Monitor compliance with the provisions of Rule 7:6-2(d), regulating the Municipal Court plea agreement process, including the proper downgrading of matters heard in the various Municipal Courts;
3. Provide mentoring services to both new and experienced Municipal Court judges;
4. Provide substantive and procedural training for Municipal Court judges on topics directed at improving the administration of justice, including but not limited to domestic violence, sentencing, search and seizure, plea agreements, bail procedures, evidence, administrative responsibilities, case management techniques (including those related to driving under the influence), criminal justice reform, language access, and other topics as appropriate; 
5. Coordinate and oversee the emergency availability of Municipal Court judges to handle bail, domestic violence, or other emergent matters within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court;
6.  Perform in-court session visitations, with follow-up Municipal Court judge mentoring, as necessary, to ensure the uniform application of the highest standards of justice in processing each case brought before the court;
7. Monitor the uniformity and efficiency of case management in the Municipal Courts and identify methods for eliminating backlogs and efficiently processing all cases;
8. Monitor the annual Municipal Court budget process as to each of the Vicinage’s Municipal Courts, both prior to and following submission to the Assignment Judge, to ensure that upon adoption of the budget, each Municipal Court will have sufficient resources to operate properly;
9.  Manage the resolution of citizen, attorney, or other grievances concerning the operation or administration of the Municipal Courts in the vicinage;
10.  Implement procedures and programs established by the Vicinage Assignment Judge;
11.  Perform other management and supervisory duties when assigned by the Vicinage Assignment Judge; and

          It is FURTHER ORDERED that Municipal Court Presiding Judge Warner is hereby delegated authority, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2B:12-9, to exercise the judicial powers necessary to preside over matters arising within the Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage and to preside over other matters, within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Courts, when so designated by the Vicinage Assignment Judge in accordance with law and the Rules of Court.