The New Jersey Supreme Court is the highest court in the State. It is composed of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices. The Chief Justice also serves as the administrative head of the court system, overseeing the management of the state's courts. An appeal may be made to the Supreme Court as a matter of right if there is a split decision (i.e. a 2-1 decision) in the Appellate Division of Superior Court. Death penalty cases automatically are appealed directly to the Supreme Court from the trial court. The Supreme Court also may hear other cases of its choosing, in a process known as "certification." Under the State Constitution, the Supreme Court has exclusive authority over the regulation of the practice of law in New Jersey.

Before the adoption of New Jersey's current constitution in 1947, the highest court of the State was called the Court of Errors and Appeals.

Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate for initial terms of seven years. After 7 years, the Governor (again, with Senate confirmation) can reappoint them. On reappointment, they are granted tenure until they reach the mandatory retirement judicial retirement age of 70.

The current members of the Court (as of March 2005) are:

• Chief Justice Deborah T. Poritz (took office July 1996)
• Justice Virginia Long (took office September 1999)
• Justice Jaynee LaVecchia (took office February 2000)
• Justice James R. Zazzali (took office June 2000)
• Justice Barry T. Albin (took office September 2002)
• Justice John E. Wallace, Jr. (took office May 2003)
• Justice Roberto A. Rivera-Soto (took office September 2004)

The Court's official website can be found here.