On Thursday, October 12, 2023, the New Jersey Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct scheduled a formal hearing in the matter of R. Douglas Hoffman, judge of the Municipal Court of the Township of Robbinsville.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of R. Douglas Hoffman,” with case no. 2023-051.

On April 10, 2023, the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC) filed a complaint against Hoffman for allegedly touching a female co-worker without her consent. The complaint, filed with the Supreme Court of New Jersey, alleges that Hoffman violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by engaging in conduct that demeans the judicial office. According to the complaint, Hoffman and the female co-worker, identified as L.W., were friends on Facebook and had a history of communicating with each other on the platform. On May 31, 2022, Hoffman provided L.W. with his personal cell phone number via direct message. The two later met at Hoffman’s beach house, where they consumed alcohol and watched a baseball game together. At one point, Hoffman allegedly touched L.W.’s knee and upper thigh without her consent, making her feel uncomfortable. L.W. abruptly left the house shortly after the incident.

Judge Hoffman denied the allegations, stating that the incident indeed occurred in his living room while he and L.W., were just drinking beer and watching the said game. However, he claimed that L.W. had sat next to him on the couch and positioned herself within a foot of him and that he had patted her knee twice in an attempt to calm and reassure her as she related her intimate relationship issues.

Judge Hoffman’s response also noted that L.W. had remained on the couch for several minutes after the knee touch and then stated she needed to use the bathroom, that he was unaware of where she went, and that she had not taken her car keys. He additionally stated that he was without personal knowledge as to whether L.W. was feeling uncomfortable.

In relation to these events, The New Jersey Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct scheduled a formal hearing regarding the matter. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, October 18 at 10:45 a.m. in the Supreme Court courtroom, Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, 25 Market St., Trenton. The hearing will be held in accordance with the “Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey, Rule 2:15 Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct.”

Judge Hoffman is a part-time judge in the Municipal Court of the Township of Robbinsville in New Jersey located at Robbinsville Township & Hightstown Borough Municipal Court 1117 Route 130 North Robbinsville, NJ 08691, and can be reached at (609) 259-3522 Ext. 2200. His info can be found on lawyersjustia.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.