New Jersey Courts

Judges and members of the Morris and Sussex County bar associations met last week at the Morris County Courthouse in Morristown for the Bench/Bar Conference. Assignment Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz gave opening remarks at the conference and Civil Division Presiding Judge Rosemary E. Ramsay provided an update on the status of trials. Superior Court Judges David H. Ironson, Stephen J. Taylor, and James M. DeMarzo and Municipal Presiding Judge Andrew M. Wubbenhorst served as panelists in their respective divisions’ break-out seminars.

Staff from the Mercer Vicinage hosted an expungement event last week to help litigants with the process of having eligible records expunged. Multiple county agencies and social service organizations were present to provide assistance and resources to attendees.

Morris/Sussex Vicinage Superior Court Family Judge Peter Bogaard spent a Lunch & Learn session on Monday with vicinage law clerks, who attended in person and virtually.

The Judiciary’s JOBS Program links probation clients with education, training and employment. Through partnerships with small and large businesses and industry groups as well as government agencies, the program has already helped place clients in nearly 4,000 jobs. Email AOCJOBSProgram.Mailbox@njcourts.gov to learn more and become a JOBS partner.

Staff from the Union Vicinage Probation Division held the second annual gingerbread decorating contest on Monday. The event featured treats, a hot chocolate station, desserts, drinks, and a special visit from “Gingy,” an inflatable gingerbread man.

Employees from the Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage provided clothes and cold weather essentials to those in need at the vicinage’s monthly Atlantic City Bus Station outreach event yesterday. Staff also assisted 25 people with bench warrants by providing new court dates. Volunteers of America and South Jersey Legal Services, both program partners, also were on site to provide services to the community.

As part of their holiday lunch today, staff in the Family Practice Division of the Administrative Office of the Courts held a gingerbread house decorating contest. The event celebrated staff for all their work throughout the year.

Twenty-two participants of the Middlesex Vicinage’s recovery court program were recognized recently at their graduation during a ceremony at the Middlesex County Courthouse in New Brunswick. Superior Court Criminal Presiding Judge Colleen Flynn welcomed the graduates and gave introductory remarks. Recovery Court Judge Robert J. Jones presided over the ceremony and spoke about the success of the program. Carlos R., a 2020 program graduate, gave the keynote address.

Edition 55: Orlando Edwards - A JOBS Success Story

Ocean Vicinage Court Executives along with the Employee Engagement Committee hosted a cookies and hot cocoa event last week for staff members. Trial Court Administrator Jill Vito welcomed court employees and thanked them for their hard work and dedication throughout the holiday season.