New assignment judge appointed for Bergen County

Kimberly Redmond//March 7, 2023

The New Jersey Supreme Court appointed Superior Court Judge Carol Novey Catuogno to lead the Bergen Vicinage.

In a March 6 press release, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced Novey Catuogno would take on the position May 1, succeeding Assignment Judge Bonnie Mizdol, who is retiring after more than 17 years with the judiciary.

After being appointed by Gov. Chris Christie in 2018, Novey Catuogno was assigned to the family division before being moved to the criminal division the following year.

Prior to joining the bench, Novey Catuogno was an assistant prosecutor in the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office for approximately 20 years, where she served as the longtime deputy chief/chief of the domestic violence squad, as the trial section chief, and as the executive assistant.

Novey Catuogno – who earned a bachelor’s degree from State University of New York at Binghamton and a law degree from Boston University School of Law – also worked as an assistant district attorney for the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office in Staten Island, N.Y., from 1991 to 1998.

In a statement, Rabner praised Novey Catuogno, saying she sets “a high standard for professionalism and leadership” and demonstrates “an unwavering commitment to justice and fairness as the assignment judge.”

New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner — Rabner

He went on to say, “Judge Novey Catuogno brings vast experience to her new role from an extensive career in public service. I have every confidence in her ability to lead the Bergen Vicinage.”

Novey Catuogno said, “I am humbled by, and grateful for, the confidence that Chief Justice Rabner has shown in me, and I thank him for the opportunity to continue my career in public service as assignment judge of the Bergen Vicinage.”

She added, “I am also thankful for the exceptional leadership provided by Judge Mizdol and I know she will be greatly missed. I look forward to working in collaboration with judges, staff, and the bar to ensure the citizens of Bergen County continued justice, fairness, and equity from our courts.”