Divorce trials in a half-dozen counties in the state are on hold indefinitely. A statement issued Tuesday from Chief Justice Stuart Rabner blamed the ongoing high number of judicial vacancies plaguing the court system. The suspension of civil and matrimonial trials takes effect Feb. 21 in Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren counties where there are five vacancies out of 20 judicial positions, and in Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties where nine out of 28 judgeships are empty.
According to the state, there are 69 total judicial vacancies in the trial courts — more than one out of every six positions statewide. On Tuesday, Rabner pointed out the increased responsibility the shortfall is putting on sitting judges to handle thousands of proceedings every month, adding that other parts of the state could face the same situation if the governor and Legislature don’t appoint more judges.
The court system has operated with an average of 50 vacancies over the last three years, while the pandemic contributed to massive backlogs.
