Photo Caption: New Bayonne Municipal Judge Chistopher Patella: New Judge Chistopher Patella takes the oath of office, which was administered by Hudson County Superior Court Presiding Judge David Katz.  Pictured left to right: Lisa McMurray (holding the Bible), Judge Patella, Harley Brook Patella, and Judge Katz.  The ceremony took place in Bayonne Municipal court.

On November 3, Christopher Patella took the oath of office as a Bayonne Municipal Court Judge, a position he held earlier in his career from 1987 to 1989.  May Jimmy Davis said the occasion was “a great day for Bayonne.”  The oath was administered by Hudson County Presiding Judge David Katz.  Judge Katz described Bayonne as having one of the top ten busiest municipal courts in New Jersey.

In his remarks, Judge Patella recalled being a student at St. Henry’s School in the 1960’s, across the street from what is now City Hall.  He said it was “a very long journey to go 100 yards.”  He thanked the City of Bayonne for his service as a judge, which he called “a privilege.”  Judge Patella pointed out that 86% of people who experience a court experience a municipal court.  He said that the people have a right to “a fair, courteous, respectful judge.”

Having spent much of his career doing criminal defense work, Judge Patella said that many people come to court about mental health issues.  He pointed to Jersey City’s mental health court as an example that Bayonne should follow.  Judge Patella also suggested that many family issues should go to mediation.  His personal philosophy tells him that punishment does not resolve problems, and that if there is punishment, “temper it with kindness.”  

Recalling his own childhood, Judge Patella recalled the importance of multiple parents taking responsibility for children in the community.  His mother served as a volunteer librarian at St. Henry’s School.  His father, a member of the Teamsters’ Union, handled mediations and arbitrations for union members.  

Judge Patella said that he resolved to become a lawyer following the killing of students at Kent State University in Ohio in 1970 during an anti-war protest.  

He concluded his remarks by saying, “I will not wear a badge.  I will wear a heart.”