Judge In NJ's Top Court Says He'll Step Down In September

TRENTON, NJ (CBS) -- A member of the New Jersey Supreme Court has asked Governor Chris Christie not to reappoint him to the panel when his seven-year term expires this fall -- a move that could create two vacancies on the seven-member panel.

Justice Roberto Rivera-Soto's departure this coming September follows Governor Christie's decision last May not to reappoint Justice John Wallace, whose replacement is still awaiting state senate confirmation in an escalating battle of wills between Christie and Senate president Steve Sweeney over judicial independence.

Rutgers-Camden law professor Robert Williams suggests that Christie has sent the wrong message by not  reappointing Wallace.

"The message is, 'Look over your shoulder.  Politicians are going to evaluate the nature of your decisions and the rest of your career may depend on that,' " Williams told KYW Newsradio on Tuesday.

Still, Williams sees a possible compromise in allowing Christie's nominee, corporate attorney Anne Patterson, to fill Rivera-Soto's seat when it becomes vacant, allowing both sides to save face.

Reported by David Madden, KYW Newsradio 1060.