Ocean County courts getting a new top judge in February

TOMS RIVER - Superior Court Judge Francis R. Hodgson Jr. has been appointed to lead the Ocean County courts as assignment judge starting Feb. 1, New Jersey Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced Tuesday.

Hodgson was appointed to the bench in 2007 by Gov. Jon Corzine, said Rabner, and renominated in 2014 by Gov. Chris Christie to the Superior Court. He served in both the family and criminal divisions until 2015, when he was named presiding judge of General Equity.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to lead the hard-working staff and judges of the Ocean Vicinage and am grateful for Chief Justice Rabner’s confidence in my ability to continue to uphold the exceptional reputation of the Judiciary,” Hodgson said.

He earned his bachelor's degree from Stockton State College and master's degree from Monmouth University, the announcement said, before receiving his law degree from Villanova University. He worked as a law clerk to Ocean Vicinage Civil Presiding Judge Frank R. Buczynski and in private practice for a year before joining the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office in 1997.

Hodgson will take the place of Judge Marlene Lynch Ford, the announcement said, who is retiring after over 24 years on the bench, and seven as assignment judge.

“We congratulate Judge Ford on a remarkable career that encompassed all three branches of government, culminating with her impressive contributions to the Judiciary," Rabner said. Judge Hodgson is an exemplary judge with broad experience who is poised to continue the tradition of excellent leadership in the Ocean Vicinage."

Jenna Calderón covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ocean County NJ courts get new assignment judge