New Jersey Courts

Explore our rewarding volunteer opportunities:

Click on the county in the list to the right, where you work or live, to find details about the court volunteer programs available in your community. You will also find guidelines that a prospective applicant should consider, the volunteer application, and local contact information.

Overview of Judiciary Volunteer Program:

Volunteers have been working in the courts for decades. Thousands of volunteers participate in the delivery of court services statewide, helping to resolve disputes justly for the people of New Jersey. Court volunteers represent a broad cross-section of the community, from high school students helping other youth avoid delinquency to adults and seniors who greet and assist court users, mediate neighborhood disputes, and advocate for children in foster care.

• The concept of Juvenile Conference Committees (JCC) in New Jersey dates back... (read more)
• Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) now serve... (read more)

• What should I consider before applying to become a court volunteer? [+]

Prospective volunteers should click here to read about the guidelines for becoming a court volunteer. Issues such as citizenship, age, and background checks are addressed.

• How do I apply for a volunteer position? [+]

Click on the county in the list to the right, where you live or work, to find details about the court volunteer programs available in your community including the volunteer application. You will also find contact information for the volunteer services liaison at the local Superior Court.

• Can I apply for an internship? [+]

For the Judiciary, an intern position is different from a volunteer position. The Internship Program is administered separately from the Volunteer Services Program. Click here to find out about available paid and unpaid internship opportunities, which are handled by the Human Resources Division of the Superior Court in each county.

• Do I have to volunteer in the County where I live? [+]

Certain programs have local residency requirements. For further information, contact the volunteer services liaison in the county where you want to volunteer. You will find his or her contact information by clicking on the county in the list to the right.

• What training is required for me to participate? [+]

Newly appointed volunteers must complete a new volunteer orientation session which is a foundational training session designed to clarify the role of a court volunteer including general expectations. New volunteers also receive initial program-specific training on their detailed responsibilities.

• What kind of commitment is expected of me? [+]

Court volunteers are initially appointed to a one-year or three-year term, depending on the specific program, and may be reappointed for three-year terms thereafter. Some programs offer flexible scheduling both during and outside of normal court business hours. For more information about a specific program, contact the volunteer services liaison in the county where you want to volunteer. You will find his or her contact information by clicking on the county in the list to the right.

• What will I gain from my experience? [+]

Through court volunteer work, community members are able to make a difference in the lives of fellow community members. They contribute to the important mission of the Judiciary: justice. Volunteers gain knowledge, a unique experience, and an understanding of the inner workings of the court system while enhancing their personal development.

• If I am involved in a court case, can I still be a volunteer? [+]

To keep the trust of the people it serves, the Judiciary must maintain the highest degree of integrity. Court volunteers are required to accept and comply with all applicable Judiciary policies including the Code of Conduct and Litigation Reporting Policy for Judiciary Volunteers. Specifically, volunteers must report certain litigation involvement for themselves as well as for their immediate family members. The information reported is handled in a confidential manner and reviewed by designated judicial officers to determine whether the Judiciary needs to take any steps to avoid an actual or apparent conflict of interest.

• If I belong to a political organization, can I serve as a court volunteer? [+]

Judiciary volunteers may hold elected or appointed political offices so long as doing so neither is nor appears to be in conflict with the nature of their volunteer duties. Volunteers, however, may not use their position with the Judiciary to further personal political ambitions to hold or retain public office or use the affiliation with the Judiciary in campaigning for themselves or any candidate. Click here to read the Code of Conduct and Litigation Reporting Policy for Judiciary Volunteers

• Judiciary Launches Volunteer Guardianship Monitoring Program (read more)
• Judiciary video encourages New Jersey residents to volunteer with the Court System... (read more)
• Court's High Standards Are Met by Judiciary Volunteers' Code of Conduct... (read more)