Senate confirmations bring New Jersey judicial vacancies to lowest level in more than 20 years

TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Senate confirmed 16 Superior Court judges Monday, reducing judicial vacancies statewide to 11 — the lowest number in more than two decades — according to the Murphy administration.

The confirmations bring the total number of judges confirmed from nominations made by Gov. Phil Murphy since January 2018 to 245, officials said.

“Since taking office, we have been laser-focused on appointing high-quality nominees to the Superior Court from across the legal profession,” said Governor Murphy. “Our Administration is proud to leave the Judiciary nearly fully staffed, ensuring that more New Jerseyans get the justice they deserve in a timely manner. I am grateful to the Senate, and in particular Senate President Nick Scutari and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Brian Stack, for their partnership over the years in filling the judicial vacancies that surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Officials said more than half of the state’s 463 Superior Court seats have been initially filled by Murphy. The administration also said it has reappointed hundreds of sitting judges, totaling 458 appointments and reappointments, compared with 418 under the prior gubernatorial administration.

The administration said a number of Murphy’s nominations marked historic firsts for representation of women and minority groups within the judiciary, and that the governor has sought to broaden diversity on the bench.

Judicial vacancies peaked at 78 in spring 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said. They said 17 of New Jersey’s 21 counties currently have no vacancies, with the remaining 11 in Bergen, Camden, Passaic and Union counties.

Outside the Superior Court, officials said there are currently no vacancies in the Division of Workers’ Compensation and three vacancies in the Office of Administrative Law.

“I believe that New Jersey has the best Judiciary in the country,” said Senate President Nicholas Scutari. “The Senate has been working in partnership with Governor Murphy to maintain high standards of excellence in selecting and confirming highly-qualified judges. We take our responsibility of advice and consent seriously as we succeeded in filling a record number of vacancies so that our courts will operate effectively.”

“Reducing judicial vacancies to the lowest level in more than two decades is an important step forward for New Jersey’s justice system,” said Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco. “However, the process can’t stop here. This progress started out extremely slow with the last few years of sustained effort, and we cannot take it for granted. Our courts function best when vacancies are the exception, not the rule, and the new administration must prioritize timely, qualified confirmations with the goal of a fully staffed judiciary so justice is delivered across the Garden State without delay.”

“These confirmations mark meaningful progress toward strengthening New Jersey’s court system and ensuring timely access to justice for residents across the state,” said Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Brian Stack. “Reducing vacancies on the bench has been imperative and remains a top priority of the Senate to ensure our courts function efficiently, fairly, and without unnecessary delay.”

“A fully staffed judiciary is essential to fairness, efficiency, and public trust in our justice system,” said Senator Troy Singleton, Vice Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “By working collaboratively to confirm highly qualified judges, we have helped ensure that New Jersey residents can have their cases heard without unnecessary delay. This progress reflects a shared commitment to strengthening our courts and ensuring they reflect the diversity, integrity, and excellence the people of our state deserve.”

“Filling 245 judicial vacancies is a significant milestone and a testament to the collaborative efforts to strengthen our judiciary,” said Senator Kristin Corrado, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “While this progress is encouraging, there is still important work ahead. Vacancies still remain and it is critical that we sustain this momentum so every courtroom across New Jersey is fully staffed. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to close the remaining gaps and uphold the integrity and efficiency of our justice system.”