Trenton, NJ – The Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey (WPCNJ) calls for the removal of Superior Court Judges James Troiano of Monmouth County and Marcia Silva of Middlesex County from the bench for their mishandling of separate and unrelated teenage sexual assault allegations.  

“Judges James Troiano and Marcia Silva failures to charge 16-year old alleged rapists as adults in unrelated sexual assaults cases involving minors are appalling. Troiano and Silva flagrantly disregarded the emotional and physical harm suffered by the victims in these cases, and instead appeared more concerned for the academic prospects of their attackers or the status of the attackers’ families.

Not only are their gross misjudgments an affront to the victims in these specific cases, but their decisions and comments send the worst possible message to victims of sexual assault – that your victimization may not be weighed as heavily as the good grades or good family of your attacker.

There is no place for Judges Troiano and Silva in New Jersey’s judicial system. We call for their immediate removal from the bench. 

WPCNJ commends the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey for overturning the decisions of Judge James Troiano and Judge Marcia Silva.

WPCNJ also supports the recommendations put forth by New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NJCASA) Executive Director, and WPCNJ Board member, Patricia Teffenhart, which include training requirements for judges to ensure the unique trauma associated with sexual assaults is better understood and addressed within our judicial system.” (NJCASA Statement: Judicial Comments, the Justice System, & Responding to Sexual Violence | NJCASA)

WPCNJ, founded in 1972, is a chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus, is a multi-partisan organization dedicated to increasing the number of women in elected and appointed positions in government, protecting reproductive freedom, and promoting equal rights for women.