Chief Justice Rabner Delivers State of the Judiciary Address

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner delivered his State of the Judiciary address this morning at the annual meeting of the New Jersey State Bar Association in Atlantic City, focusing his remarks on the real-life impact created by the current historically high number of judicial vacancies.

As of today, 75 of the 433 trial court positions in New Jersey are vacant. There has been an average of 50 or more judicial vacancies each month for two and one-half years.

Chief Justice Rabner spoke about the types of individuals facing significant delays brought on by the vacancies, like people with personal injury cases seeking compensation, parents unable to see their child while they await a final hearing in restraining order cases, couples awaiting a divorce trial, and nearly 6,800 defendants who are now detained and await their day in court.

“We need more judges to provide the level of service the public is entitled to receive. And we need help from the other branches to fix that problem. The Judiciary is ready and willing to assist in any way that might be helpful,” Chief Justice Rabner said.

Chief Justice Rabner also noted that the state’s seven-member Supreme Court will reach four vacancies if there is not movement in the nomination process in the weeks ahead.

Chief Justice Rabner’s full remarks are available at njcourts.gov.