Quick Facts
Biography
Carmen M. Garcia is the former Chief Judge of Trenton Municipal Court. She was inducted into the New Jersey Women's Hall of Fame in 2012.
Early life and education
Garcia grew up in Camden and Pennsauken Township, New Jersey. Garcia received a Bachelor of Science from Saint Joseph's University. She also received her Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University School of Law in Camden.
Career
Early in her career, Garcia worked as a law clerk to United States Federal District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez. Garcia served as Assistant Counsel to New Jersey Governor Thomas Kean from 1987 to 1988. She served as a Municipal Judge in Trenton, New Jersey, until 2004.
In 2004, Garcia was appointed to the New Jersey state parole board as an Associate Board Member. The next year she became one of two state parole board members assigned to review matters involving juvenile offenders. In 2008, Governor Jon Corzine nominated Garcia for reappointment to the New Jersey state parole board. The state senate confirmed Garcia's nomination giving her a six-year term.
Memberships and associations
As of 2013, Garcia served as Chief Diversity Officer of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association. Garcia is also a Trustee to the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey and a member of the Capital Health Regional Hospital System Board of Directors.
Honors
Garcia was inducted into the New Jersey Women's Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Camden Catholic High School Hall of Fame in 2015.