Additionally, Judge Obuch is accused of violating Canon 5, Rule 5.1(A), requiring judges to “conduct their extrajudicial activities in a manner that would not cast reasonable doubt on the judge’s capacity to act impartially as a judge, demean the judicial office, or interfere with the proper performance of judicial duties.”
Next Steps
Following a preliminary investigation, the advisory committee served Judge Obuch with the formal complaint. He has 20 days to respond with a verified answer, including a full disclosure of facts, affirmative defenses, mitigating circumstances, and any constitutional challenges.
Judge Obuch, who was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in December 1992, is listed as an attorney in good standing. He has served as a municipal court judge in Elizabeth since 2002 and was previously reprimanded in December 2012 for ethical violations related to representing a city official in private matters while serving as an attorney.
The Supreme Court of New Jersey Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct is represented by disciplinary counsel Maureen G. Bauman. Counsel information for Judge Obuch was not immediately available, and he could not be reached for comment on Friday.
