New Jersey Supreme Court

The New Jersey Supreme Court is the highest court in the State. It is composed of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices. The Chief Justice also serves as the administrative head of the court system, overseeing the management of the state's courts. An appeal may be made to the Supreme Court as a matter of right if there is a split decision (i.e. a 2-1 decision) in the Appellate Division of Superior Court. Death penalty cases automatically are appealed directly to the Supreme Court from the trial court. The Supreme Court also may hear other cases of its choosing, in a process known as "certification". Under the New Jersey State Constitution, the Supreme Court has exclusive authority over the regulation of the practice of law in the state.

Current composition

The current members of the Court (as of June 2005) and dates they took office are:

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• Chief Justice Deborah T. Poritz (July 1996)
• Justice Virginia Long (September 1999)
• Justice Jaynee LaVecchia (February 2000)
• Justice James R. Zazzali (June 2000)
• Justice Barry T. Albin (September 2002)
• Justice John E. Wallace, Jr. (May 2003)
• Justice Roberto A. Rivera-Soto (September 2004)