Judges do important work. The Judicial Education and Performance Office helps them learn and grow in this role.
Judges attend training to learn about procedures, court technologies, and how to resolve cases fairly and efficiently. They also learn about new legislation, case law, and social issues that impact the cases before them.
The office also gives judges feedback through evaluations to help them improve their work. These evaluations are also used during the reappointment process.
Judicial Education
- Comprehensive Judicial Orientation Program (CJOP) and New Judge Orientation. CJOP and Orientation programming helps new judges move from attorney to judge. It also helps experienced Judges with new assignments. The program gives in-depth training in the State’s judicial practices and procedures. Judges also gain access to a library of training materials. Each judge is also matched with a more senior judge who acts as a mentor.
- The Judicial College and Seminars. These events offer judges a wide range of training programs. They allow judges to stay up to date on developments in the law. Special attention is paid substance use disorders training, domestic violence training, and racial, gender, LGBTQ+ equity in the law training.
Judicial Performance Program
Attorneys provide valuable feedback to the Judicial Performance and Education Program through the Judicial Performance Program. Their input helps the courts ensure that all judges are given the chance to improve and help maintain the quality of justice provided by the New Jersey Courts.
Attorneys complete anonymous questionnaires. They evaluate judges on more than 30 performance standards. Results are shared with the judge, the assignment judge, the Supreme Court, the Governor, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Judicial Evaluation Commission.