Bill > A552

Introduced Session

This bill concerns the public's participation with the Senate's review of gubernatorial nominees to be judges of the Superior Court. Specifically, the bill would provide a party to a previously instituted family action or proceeding, who presents public remarks before any Senate committee reviewing a Superior Court judicial nomination or re-nomination concerning the character or qualifications of the nominee, the ability to receive a change of venue on further family matters arising out of or otherwise related to the previously instituted action or proceeding. The change of venue would be made by motion of the party to the same court in which the party's previously instituted family action or proceeding was last adjudicated or awaiting further consideration. The venue change granted by the court would be to another vicinage, other than the vicinage to which the nominee is assigned if confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate. The court would consider the interests of the moving party as well as the interests of all other parties from the previously instituted family action or proceeding in the selection of the new venue. The bill incorporates the court rule standard for permitting a venue change based on "substantial doubt that a fair and impartial" proceeding can be had in a current venue, due to the party's public remarks directed at the judicial nominee, as the justification for granting the moving party's request for the change of venue. See R. 4:3-3(a).

AI Summary

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Bob Auth (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 01/14/2020)