In the Matter of R. Douglas Hoffman

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed that Judge R. Douglas Hoffman’s conduct—providing alcohol to a subordinate employee, engaging in sexually suggestive touching without consent, and displaying a flippant demeanor—constitutes cause for removal from judicial office. The Court applied a de novo review and held that the statutory burden of proof, beyond a reasonable doubt, was satisfied. It further concluded that recent precedent supports removal despite older cases imposing lesser sanctions.