Acting Governor Scutari Signs Bill to Expand Retirement Compensation and Raise Salaries For Prosecutors and Certain Judicial Officials
08/22/2024
TRENTON – Acting Governor Nicholas Scutari today signed S2470/A3930, which amends various parts of statutory law concerning service credit, retirement, and salaries for certain county prosecutors and judges.

The bill permits county prosecutors to receive service credit in the Prosecutors Part of the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) for work as a judicial law clerk in a State Court if the county prosecutor purchases credit for that service after being appointed to serve as a county prosecutor. Under current law, such a purchase after appointment is not recognized as service credit in the Prosecutors Part for a county prosecutor nominated and appointed pursuant to the State Constitution.

Additionally, the bill increases the salaries for certain Presiding Judges and country prosecutors. Presiding Judges of the Superior Court, Appellate Division, will now earn $218,545.82 salaries, $3,000 more than that of other Appellate Division judges, and county prosecutors’ salaries will increase to $204,166.50.  Both increases are retroactive to January 1, 2024, with the ability to be adjusted to inflation beginning at the conclusion of this year and in each of the next two years thereafter.

Finally, the bill removes statutory prohibition allowing for retired members of the Judicial Retirement System (JRS) to collect pensions while practicing law in this state if the retired member is serving as a county prosecutor appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

“Our judges and county prosecutors work extremely hard every day to ensure justice is served at the highest level and quality here in New Jersey,” said Acting Governor Scutari. “The enactment of this bill allows us to maintain competitive salaries and retirement compensation for these officials.”

The prime sponsors for this bill are Senator Brian Stack and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano. Other primary sponsors include Senator Paul Sarlo, Assemblyman William Sampson, and Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez.

“Allowing county prosecutors to purchase credit in PERS for their prior service as judicial law clerks will help New Jersey’s legal system attract and retain top talent who have valuable experience working in a state court,” said Senator Brian Stack. “This legislation will encourage more lawyers to dedicate their careers to public service and will ultimately improve public safety.”

“This will help attract and retain qualified professionals to serve as prosecutors and judges,” said Senator Paul Sarlo. “The state’s law enforcement community and judiciary will benefit from their skills and experience. We want to maintain the standard of excellence that they have earned.”

“Allowing retired judges to return to public service as county prosecutors will enable us to leverage decades of invaluable experience to benefit our communities,” said Assemblywoman Annette Quijano. “This legislation is a key investment in our commitment to upholding a strong and effective judiciary, one that is well-supported and capable of delivering exceptional service to every New Jerseyan.”

“This legislation creates an opportunity for county prosecutors to receive credit in the Public Employees Retirement System for their prior service as judicial law clerks in state courts,” said Assemblyman William B. Sampson.  “By acknowledging their valuable contributions to our state’s legal system, we ensure that their years of dedicated service are fairly recognized and compensated.”

“New Jersey’s judicial system is held in high regard and the signing of this legislation will further strengthen its standing,” said Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez. “Increasing compensation for retired judges serving as county prosecutors and within the judicial community will help us ensure that New Jersey residents continue to benefit from the depth of knowledge these individuals have amassed throughout their careers.”