FLEMINGTON, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Hunterdon County officials and members of the Judiciary marked the opening of a new Chancery Courtroom at the Hunterdon County Justice Complex with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.
The new courtroom was created by converting the Justice Complex’s former law library into a permanent courtroom for General Equity Presiding Judge Haekyoung Suh. The courtroom will handle Chancery matters serving the Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren vicinage.
“This new courtroom is another example of the strong working relationship that exists between Hunterdon County government and the Judiciary,” said Commissioner Director Lanza. “By working collaboratively, we were able to transform an existing space within the Justice Complex into a modern courtroom that will serve not only Hunterdon County, but the entire Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren vicinage. Just as importantly, the project was structured in a fiscally responsible way that benefits County taxpayers.”
Hunterdon County Commissioner Director John E. Lanza was joined at the Sept. 23 ribbon-cutting by Commissioner Deputy Director Jeff Kuhl, Commissioner Susan Soloway, Assignment Judge Michael Cresitello Jr., Acting Administrative Director of the Courts Judge Michael J. Blee, Suh, Presiding Civil Part Judge Robert A. Ballard Jr. and retired Assignment Judge Kevin Shanahan.
Hunterdon County Clerk Mary Melfi, Sheriff Fred Brown, Surrogate Heidi Rohrbach, representatives of the Judiciary and other county officials also attended.
The Hunterdon County Justice Complex opened in 1996, replacing the historic Main Street Courthouse as the county’s primary judicial facility. County officials said converting the former law library allowed the county to make use of existing space while accommodating the changing needs of the court system.
The project was developed through cooperation between Hunterdon County and the New Jersey Judiciary. As part of the arrangement, the state is expected to enter into a long-term lease with Hunterdon County for the Chancery Courtroom space, with the lease incorporating the cost of the courtroom buildout.
The new courtroom is part of continuing improvements to the Hunterdon County Justice Complex.
