S 2498 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Increases term of municipal court judge to five years.

This bill extends the term of office for municipal court judges in New Jersey from three years to five years. It directly affects all municipal court judges and the appointment processes for their positions across different municipal government structures (mayor-council, other municipalities, and central courts). The key change modifies the term length in statute (N.J.S.2B:12-4) while keeping existing appointment procedures intact - judges are still appointed by mayors (with council consent), governing bodies, or the Governor (for joint or central courts). The change aligns with a 2018 Supreme Court committee recommendation aiming to create a more experienced bench and enhance judicial stability. The bill does not alter how judges are selected, only the duration of their terms.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jan 13, 2026
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Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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