[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6376303,"mediaKeyId","2140447-140fbaf158db5f6595231d3630c21b60","parentId",2140447,"title","Judiciary committee advances many judicial nominees; public testimony sharply divided on at least one pick","audioSeconds",4560,"startMs",15500000,"endMs",20060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140447-140fbaf158db5f6595231d3630c21b60&start=15500&end=20060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140447-140fbaf158db5f6595231d3630c21b60/thumbnail_15500000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6376303/Connecticut/Judiciary-committee-advances-many-judicial-nominees-public-testimony-sharply-divided-on-at-least-one-pick","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376303-b4fa39f05a8cb5ca8d3b92ae228717bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156130&Signature=iRsIuD4Dctrvquz-PolYce8eHEeWNCEs~pwuzDekILVtSnzHzFjanqjN1UJ3TRBBpgIafmN1ipVG5IsgOVW8FwaRNCsMxo8vTkOrBNYuwZD2VurBD1HufrYJ9Z9uJS~O0NgLjVfEg4dcCZmvw1t4n9vzYD31jETmDgKVEszqItYuLsvxbCLGBYpojh1HCratzLpFrFSfNb~Urhmz80kGBFldFOsRdORvMS8RquB5lHSBqCsCC2MJaZYdMkiv5ZE8UUw2IS2HBeMosZz~3xRp42xJ4qBFUuLUy8D-ww6EtnnuvTHnTOA-nlbKx6CD2Q7bLg~dr4mxaeRKWnfN-f~82w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CGA - Judiciary Committee","date","2025-01-22T00:00:00Z","article","The Connecticut Legislature’s Judiciary Committee heard nomination testimony and public comment Jan. 22 and then advanced multiple judicial nominees toward full Senate consideration, placing a large group on a consent calendar and separating others for individual review.

The hearing included lengthy appearances by nominees, questions from committee members and public testimony both supporting and opposing candidates. The Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (CCDLA) submitted a multi‑page commentary endorsing a number of nominees and praised several judges for courtroom performance and outreach. “He could run a judicial district anywhere in the state, and I'm sure he would,” CCDLA past president Edward Gavin said of one presiding judge, urging reappointment.

Members of the public also used the hearing to oppose at least one nomination. Maureen Martowska told the committee she opposed the reappointment of a particular nominee and urged the panel to review past hearings and written submissions; she asked the committee to “look at the 3 links that I provided” and to consider prior no‑confidence votes when evaluating a reappointment.

Committee action after the hearing advanced Chief Justice nominee Raheem Mullins for further Senate consideration and moved many superior‑court nominees to a consent calendar for a collective favorable report. Several nominations were removed from the consent calendar for separate committee consideration and votes. Committee members also recorded roll‑call votes on certain nominees and discussed recusals where members had conflicts.

Committee members repeatedly raised the issue of judicial temperament and external systems of accountability during questioning. Several nominees described steps they take to stay accountable — from soliciting feedback from clerks and defense and prosecuting attorneys to reviewing recorded hearings. Senator Gary Winfield emphasized the committee’s interest in whether nominees have systems in place that allow colleagues, court staff or attorneys to raise concerns without fear.

Votes at a glance
- Chief Justice nomination: Raheem L. Mullins — advanced by the committee for Senate consideration following testimony on technology and operations.
- Consent calendar: A number of superior‑court nominees were placed on a consent calendar and advanced together; committee minutes show multiple candidates later removed from the consent calendar for separate consideration.
- Public comment: At least one public witness urged the committee to reject the reappointment of a nominee on the grounds of past conduct as a court‑appointed guardian ad litem; CCDLA filed broad support for many nominees.

Ending: The committee’s actions move several nominees to the full Senate; several were set aside for further committee review after members and public witnesses raised concerns about temperament, past conduct and accountability systems.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Judiciary Committee Public Hearing followed by a Committee Meeting 2025-01-22","oneSentenceSummary","The Judiciary Committee advanced multiple judicial nominations on Jan. 22 after a public hearing that included both endorsements from the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and opposition testimony urging the rejection of at least one reappointment.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature CT, Connecticut","taxId",77677,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6376307,"Judicial officials say Pathways approach has sped family‑court cases; advocates and lawmakers press for funding, legal aid",0,3049000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140447-140fbaf158db5f6595231d3630c21b60&start=3049&end=3049","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140447-140fbaf158db5f6595231d3630c21b60/thumbnail_3049000.jpg","/articles/6376307/Connecticut/Judicial-officials-say-Pathways-approach-has-sped-familycourt-cases-advocates-and-lawmakers-press-for-funding-legal-aid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376307-10cd362909f6e0d498be597fcc85252e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156130&Signature=GvCF9lswSb-PgwTInwoLXNkBf8e8ZK9XdrjlnBoFmn~ANRdYqCo2cGcLI0UY9-y-OVOYt1GldB4abF8JbGSfyHHHMlHJpzAvS2ykV19pX~EUi9b5Qoh43ykHYf0~IhNimeJhEqRFmJ8MnmCReVwqci1QEzSGciXE0H8ImIa9uuFGtjZu9ES-u18xaNE2sECitfx2wp1ZqQZ1thpnPqzCSLE3ixqvHyn5~pabhXQFQY37PDKwuvcGC-Iqhn29JSdPh3OS2Uwc5PpI1vw9qWDPM-TL0lw5ys32xB1b~LYxMNjBaYedvufZICBIrdqAf3Ie0p~iaBfZgojGoRTE0G7LeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Court Administrator Maureen Pezzuto and senior judges told the Judiciary Committee on Jan. 22 that Connecticut’s multi‑track case management program, known as Pathways, has shortened many family‑court cases but still needs funding and more services to help litigants who appear without lawyers.

Pezzuto described Pathways as “differential case management”: tracks for simpler cases (track A), intermediate cases (track B) and complex cases (track C). She told lawmakers the branch’s aim is to “reduce time spent in court, reduce conflict and reduce costs.” Pezzuto said Pathways and related reforms have boosted the share of family cases resolved within 90 days to about 52 percent, up from roughly 0 percent before early reforms and about 32 percent after earlier changes.

“Every case with Pathways gets into court within 30 to 60 days, and it's structured so every case should be seen not only by family relations on that day, but also by a judge so that judge can make sure that case is aligned with the services that family or that individual needs,” Pezzuto told the panel. She and other witnesses described how family relations officers triage cases on an RPD (resolution plan date) and assign appropriate services such as mediation or supervision of visitation.

Several legislators and family‑law practitioners said specific assignments — especially Stamford — still face long delays. Representative Barry O’Day described a modification request that took 18 months in a Stamford file and asked whether the branch would support making retroactive relief mandatory for certain post‑judgment modifications. Pezzuto said she would consider specific cases and said many reforms, including Pathways, have been producing better statewide results.

Judges and staff also outlined efforts to expand remote services that emerged during the pandemic. The branch has added about 120 remote interpreting “carts” so interpreters can serve multiple hearings from a central location, and it has built remote platforms for emergency orders and arrest‑warrant reviews to reduce officer travel. Pezzuto said the branch is building an internal AI review committee as a controlled testing ground for any new tools.

Lawmakers asked about access to counsel for victims and applicants for temporary restraining orders; Pezzuto noted pilot grants for lawyers serving TRO applicants in the five largest judicial districts and said the branch would welcome expansion if additional funding is available. Senator Will Haskell (not a committee member) emphasized training and resources for judges and court staff to manage self‑represented litigants.

Ending: Officials told the committee Pathways has shortened many family cases and freed judicial resources, but members and practitioners said more funding for legal aid, court‑based services and targeted attention to problem jurisdictions are still needed.","Chief Court Administrator Maureen Pezzuto and judges described a multi‑track 'Pathways' system that leaders say is resolving a higher share of family matters faster. Officials pushed for more services for litigants, remote‑interpretation expansion and training for judges; legislators pressed on delays in specific jurisdictions like Stamford.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6376311,"Chief Justice nominee Raheem Mullins pushes digital courtrooms, pilots Wi‑Fi in three courthouses",104,632000,736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140447-140fbaf158db5f6595231d3630c21b60&start=632&end=736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140447-140fbaf158db5f6595231d3630c21b60/thumbnail_632000.jpg","/articles/6376311/Connecticut/Chief-Justice-nominee-Raheem-Mullins-pushes-digital-courtrooms-pilots-WiFi-in-three-courthouses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6376311-8abec5d6ebfbd43ee1e440b2e37ef6ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156130&Signature=oYq7IOY0enomYjQrzsfFA0jyaB2vWI4SZ2NWj4sJmQo1vFhDSEj~XvRH4JiesE9KWJmMUEaFONLnSb99EJcKDkMOPGzsrAKoof9-~y8n95Cwvm3Bx5TU8iiOJHi0mrItn7TTEG012vdro3pFkNRF-eVgRi3tGSnK3s-urRQjzW7Y3NvpvSgv7hLdSBTF~g8PvJfOJ8C3bg2s3LIvval0Qw~f4pL0U7DTcOXXxcNipMC2ZQhpBawvrnAitgz5eIXbVtdXZzt7nNwE1kBssWw99jtQ165wYwOhw3TtIgzeixPWCc4V-fbQhRm2AYveIAOmvBuYq9biwIZcDAhMM4Mh2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Justice Raheem L. Mullins told the Judiciary Committee on Jan. 22 that expanding public Wi‑Fi and building state‑of‑the‑art digital courtrooms are top priorities if lawmakers confirm him for an eight‑year term.

Mullins outlined two parallel efforts currently underway: a three‑site pilot to provide public Wi‑Fi in courthouse common areas and early work on “digital courtrooms” designed to make evidence presentation and jury displays fully electronic.

The Wi‑Fi pilot starts in Waterbury (400 Grand Street), with additional pilot locations Mullins identified at 101 Lafayette Street in Hartford and 235 Church Street in New Haven. “We’re moving forward with getting Wi Fi in the public areas of our courthouses,” Mullins said, adding that Waterbury already has cabling and access points installed and that officials are finalizing public‑access policies, a guest portal and disclaimers.

Mullins said the judicial branch is also piloting two digital courtrooms — one at the Washington Street Courthouse (95 Washington Street) in Hartford and another at the Lafayette Street Courthouse — where monitors in the jury box and at counsel tables, cabling and a central evidence console are being installed. “The goal is for that courtroom to be up and running by the end of this month,” he told the committee.

Mullins acknowledged both pilots will require more funding and staff time. He said the Lafayette Street work includes coordination with the Hartford State’s Attorney’s office about jointly using grant funds for a digital courtroom there. On funding, he described a mix of bonding and operating funds as likely necessary.

Committee members pressed Mullins on timing and priorities. Representative Mark Fishbein described having successfully uploaded exhibits in a courtroom and told Mullins that remote filing and in‑court uploads have improved efficiency for civil litigants. Mullins said the Waterbury site was the nearest activation and that New Haven would follow; expansion beyond the three pilots will depend on additional funds.

Mullins also tied technology to other branch priorities: consolidating older courthouse space into fewer, modern buildings; improving courthouse safety and marshal staffing; and enhancing remote interpreter and remote judicial services. “Safety is a concern,” Mullins said, adding marshals and courthouse security were high on the short list of needs.

On broader operational issues he raised with a statewide compensation commission, Mullins said judges’ workloads — including complex post‑trial work and writing opinions — can stretch beyond a traditional 9‑to‑5 schedule. “I definitely have a firm position that judges should get raises,” he told the panel, while acknowledging that more judges and efficiencies also help manage workload pressures.

The committee took testimony on Mullins’s nomination and other judicial candidates the same day; the committee advanced Mullins’s nomination for further Senate consideration.

Ending: The digital and Wi‑Fi pilots represent early, visible steps in a longer plan Mullins described to modernize Connecticut courthouses. Lawmakers signaled interest in the tech work but said they will weigh funding requests and competing priorities during the 2025 session.","At a Jan. 22 Judiciary Committee hearing, interim Chief Justice Raheem Mullins said expanding courtroom technology and public Wi‑Fi are top priorities as he seeks an eight‑year term. He described pilot projects in Waterbury, Hartford and New Haven and urged more funding and security upgrades for courthouses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Judiciary committee advances many judicial nominees; public testimony sharply divided on at least one pick

Judicial officials say Pathways approach has sped family‑court cases; advocates and lawmakers press for funding, legal aid

Chief Justice nominee Raheem Mullins pushes digital courtrooms, pilots Wi‑Fi in three courthouses