The New Jersey Supreme Court issued three opinions from March 13-19. As of March 19, the court issued 15 opinions in 2023 — one fewer than this point a year ago. The three opinions are below:
- Malanga v. West Orange Twp., where the court found that the Township of West Orange improperly designated its public library as an area in need of redevelopment under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (LRHL), N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1 to-49.
- Hansen v. Rite Aid Corp., where the court affirmed the appellate court’s ruling that a trial court properly determined the award of counsel fees and costs for a plaintiff who won a sexual orientation discrimination claim.
- New Jersey v. Macchia, where the court held that a trial court properly instructed the jury on the state’s burden in disproving self-defense in a reckless manslaughter case.
From March 13-19, state supreme courts issued 142 opinions nationally. The Hawaii Supreme Court issued the most with 25. State supreme courts in 18 states issued the fewest with zero. Courts where judges are elected have issued 68 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 74.
The New Jersey Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort and has seven judgeships. The current chief of the court is Stuart Rabner. The court issued 55 opinions in 2022 and 2021. Nationally, state supreme courts issued 7,423 opinions in 2022 and 8,320 in 2021. The courts have issued 1,366 opinions in 2023. Courts where judges are elected have issued 729 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 637. New Jersey is a Democratic trifecta, meaning Democrats control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.
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