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Michael Noriega
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2023 - Present
2030
2
Michael Noriega is a judge of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Noriega assumed office on June 30, 2023. Noriega's current term ends on June 30, 2030.
Gov. Phil Murphy (D) appointed Noriega to the court to replace Jack Sabatino (nonpartisan).[1] To learn more about this appointment, click here.
Biography
Michael Noriega earned a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and a law degree from Seton Hall Law School. Noriega's career experience includes working as an attorney and adjunct professor.[2]
Appointments
2022
Gov. Phil Murphy (D) appointed Noriega to the court to replace Jack Sabatino (nonpartisan).[1]
New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Barry Albin retired on July 7, 2022, upon reaching the state's mandatory retirement age of 70 years old.[3] Albin's replacement will be Governor Phil Murphy's (D) fourth nominee to the seven-member supreme court.
In New Jersey, state supreme court justices are selected through direct gubernatorial appointment. Justices are appointed directly by the governor without the use of a nominating commission.[4] There are five states that use this selection method. To read more about the gubernatorial appointment of judges, click here.
State supreme court judicial selection in New Jersey
- See also: Judicial selection in New Jersey
The seven justices of the New Jersey Supreme Court are selected by gubernatorial appointment. The governor's nominee must be confirmed by the New Jersey state Senate.[5][6]
Justices serve an initial term of seven years after appointment. If renominated by the governor and confirmed for reappointment by the Senate, they may serve on the court until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 70.[5][6]
Qualifications
To be eligible to serve on the supreme court, a person must have been admitted to practice law in New Jersey for at least 10 years.[6]
Chief justice
The chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court is selected by gubernatorial appointment. The position of chief justice is a specific seat on the court rather than a temporary leadership position.[6]
Vacancies
Vacancies on the court are filled through gubernatorial appointment. The governor's nominee must be confirmed by the state Senate.[7]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 New Jersey Monitor, "N.J. Senate confirms Governor Murphy’s latest pick for Supreme Court seat," accessed July 26, 2023
- ↑ New Jersey Courts, "Associate Justice Michael Noriega," accessed March 18, 2025
- ↑ New Jersey Monitor, "Justice Albin turns 70, creating third N.J. Supreme Court vacancy," July 7, 2022
- ↑ Note: In New Hampshire, a judicial selection commission has been established by executive order. The commission's recommendations are not binding.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 New Jersey Courts, "The New Jersey Courts | A guide to the judicial process," accessed August 27, 2021
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 New Jersey Legislature, "New Jersey State Constitution 1947," accessed August 27, 2021 (Article VI Section II)
- ↑ New Jersey Legislature, "New Jersey State Constitution 1947," accessed August 27, 2021 (Article V Section I)
Federal courts:
Third Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of New Jersey • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of New Jersey
State courts:
New Jersey Supreme Court • New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division • New Jersey Superior Courts • New Jersey Municipal Courts • New Jersey Tax Court
State resources:
Courts in New Jersey • New Jersey judicial elections • Judicial selection in New Jersey
