The New Jersey State Bar Association’s Task Force on Judicial Independence has held four public hearings on the subject of judicial independence in New Jersey, and has been accepting written comments on the same since April. Those who have not yet shared their ideas with the Task Force only have until June 30 to do so because the Task Force is wrapping up its public comment gathering phase and moving on to the recommendation making phase. The goal of the Task Force is to produce a report that will contain recommendations with respect to preserving the independence of New Jersey’s judges.
Fairness. Justice.
Rule of Law.
Tag Archives: New Jersey Bar Association
State of the Judiciary
Just days before it was announced that he will be nominated for lifetime tenure as Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, Justice Rabner delivered the annual state of the judiciary address at the annual meeting of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
Rather than touch on any cases, Rabner discussed many of the administrative challenges facing the courts, and some of the court’s recent successes. It is clear from his remarks that Rabner is not afraid of change despite the judicial branch’s preference for precedence.
Click here to read Justice Rabner’s remarks.
State Bar Forum on Judicial Independence Long on Complaints, Short on Solutions
The New Jersey State Bar Association’s Task Force on Judicial Independence held the first of its four public hearings on April 1, 2014, at the New Jersey Law Center. Though over 20 people testified at the three-hour hearing, few offered concrete suggestions for how the court system could be improved. The majority of the testimony focused on perceived problems with the system.
New Jersey State Bar Association Task Force on Judicial Independence
The New Jersey State Bar Association has created a Task Force to examine the issue of judicial independence. The members of the Task Force are retired judges, law professors, practicing attorneys and members of the lay public. The goal of the Task Force is to produce a report that will contain recommendations with respect to preserving the independence of the judges of this State. The Task Force is wholly independent of the Bar Association, which will not control or influence its proceedings or conclusions.
The Task Force has concluded that it should hold a series of public hearings to solicit the views of both the legal community and the community at large with respect to this critical issue. These hearings will be held on the following dates, at the stated locations:
- Tuesday, April 1, New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick, 4 p.m.
- Thursday, May 15, NJSBA Annual Meeting, Borgata, Atlantic City, 1 p.m.
- Rutgers Law School—Camden, date to be determined
- Seton Hall Law School, Newark, date to be determined
The purpose of these hearings is to seek purposeful recommendations as to whether our current system of judicial appointment and reappointment may be improved, and if so, how. The hearings are not intended, and will not be permitted, to provide a forum for individuals who may be disgruntled with their contacts with the judicial system or with the composition of the judiciary.
Those interested in testifying should send their name, contact information, and a brief statement to taskforce@njsba.com.