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Procedures for Filing a Complaint in the Office of the Ombudsman
Filing:
Complaints or recommendations
may be made in person or by telephoning, faxing or mailing in a complaint
form.
Screening:
The Ombudsman conducts a
initial screening of the problem, gathers basic information, i.e., name,
address, phone/fax numbers, history and nature of the inquiry or problem,
status of complainants (plaintiff, defendant, juror, court visitor, attorney,
other) and relevant dates.
Investigation:
The Ombudsman carries out
whatever investigation is necessary to give an informed explanation or make an
appropriate referral.
Evaluation:
The Ombudsman evaluates
whether the matter immediately lends itself to resolution in another forum
(e.g., Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct, District Ethics Committee)
requires further investigation, appears amenable to mediation, or can be
resolved with explanatory information.
Referral:
The Ombudsman follows
established bench, bar and court employee complaint procedures and makes
referrals according to those procedures.
Follow-up:
The Ombudsman follows up to
ensure that all problems are addressed in a timely fashion.
Recommendation:
The Ombudsman
investigates, documents and analyzes all inquiries and complaints and makes
recommendations to improve existing procedures and develop new ones.
COMPLAINT FORM
Kimberly Cicala, Ombudsman Superior Court of New Jersey-Essex Vicinage, 50 West Market Street, Room 101 Newark, NJ 07102; (973) 693-5728; fax:(973) 693-5726; email: kimberly.cicala@judiciary.state.nj.us
| Name: | First | Last |
| Address: | Street City State Zip |
|
| Telephone | Day | Night |
Source of Contact:
| Office Visit | Fax | |
| Telephone | Other |
Constituent Status:
| Plaintiff | Defendant | Volunteer |
| Attorney | Witness | Other |
| Court | Juror |
Nature of inquiry/complaint/recommendation
| ______________________________________________________________________________ |
| ______________________________________________________________________________ |
| ______________________________________________________________________________ |
| ______________________________________________________________________________ |
| ______________________________________________________________________________ |
| Signature of Complainant | Date |
Mail to: Kimberly Cicala, Ombudsman
Superior Court of
New Jersey-Essex Vicinage
50 West Market Street, VCH Room 101
Newark, NJ
07102
Alternatively, send information in an e-Mail to: kimberly.cicala@judiciary.state.nj.us