Justice Rivera-Soto will not seek renomination in 2011

January 4, 2011

New Jersey: New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto sent a letter to Governor Chris Christie yesterday, announcing that he will not seek renomination at the end of his current term. Though the letter did not go into specifics, Rivera-Soto's recent decision to abstain from voting has been well-documented.

In December, Rivera-Soto declined to vote on court cases, due to what he believes is the court's current illegal make-up. This was in response to Chief Justice Stuart Rabner appointing interim justice Edwin Stern to serve while the governor and legislature wrangled over Christie's permanent nominee. In his decision to abstain, Rivera-Soto stated, "...that the state Constitution allows the assignment of another judge to the seven-member Supreme Court only when necessary to constitute a quorum of five justices."

Though his retirement has been called for by many in the media, Rivera-Soto helped to reignite the controversy over the justices of the Supreme Court. In response to receiving word of retirement, Governor Christie said, "Two-hundred forty-five days ago I nominated Anne Patterson to the state Supreme Court because of her high level of legal intellect, character and compassion. She has yet to receive a fair hearing as required by New Jersey's Constitution while a seat on our highest court continues to remain vacant. I will not provide a nominee to fill Justice Rivera-Soto's seat until Anne Patterson receives the hearing that she deserves and that the Senate is constitutionally obligated to provide."

See also

• New Jersey Supreme Court Justice goes on strike December 13, 2010
• Proposed amendment to set deadline for Senate judicial confirmations September 22, 2010
• Judge Stern temporarily appointed to New Jersey Supreme Court September 9, 2010
• Judicial Advisory Panel resigns in New Jersey June 3, 2010
• New Jersey governor nominates attorney over incumbent for Supreme Court May 3, 2010