Susan D. Wigenton

Terrible jurist. She believes herself anointed and only communicates through the Magistrate Judge. She suffers from very serious predilections/prejudging and has a narrow and unyielding view of civil rights law. She has been on the bench a long time (a Bush 2 appointee), but NJ deserves better federal judges. Remember that the word "court" derives from the days when Kings and Queens were the adjudicators. She subscribes to that philosophy today.

A fine judge. Excellent demeanor and expeditious.

A courteous and civil judge. Still, not the brightest judge on the federal bench.

A tool for the DoJ that does not understand modern technology nor modern society. Great as a judge, if we had a time machine to the fifties or sixties where her moral compass would be valid.

Wow, what a bad choice. She was completely overmatched as a magistrate. I hope to avoid her ever again. Briefing was a total waste of time. Her rulings were so incompetent that they created multiple procedural quagmires that took repeated hearings before Judge Walls to fix. Not mean, but either unwilling or unable to understand anything off the beaten path.

A delightful person to appear in front of, courteous, diligent, good staff. Reluctant to pull the trigger on summary judgment, though.

Well-prepared and follows the law without losing common sense. Very respectful of attorneys.

She was very frustrating to deal with as a magistrate -- briefing was generally a waste of time, because she invariably chose to wing it. Some of her "solutions" were so illogical that they led to more disputes. Simple discovery motions became drawn out ordeals, often ending up before the district court (Walls) who dispatched them quickly and fairly. I would assume she is an even worse train wreck as a district judge.

It figures that the last low rating for Judge Wigenton was from a prosecutor. She detained my client the last time I was before her, but she was fair, even-handed and courteous. I had her several times as a magistrate and she was fair in the lower court as well. I just don't get these prosecutors; they have most of the judges firmly in their corner on most cases and when they come across one that displays even the slightest bit of equanimity, they have to knock her down. More fair judges like Judge Wigenton are what the federal judiciary desperately needs; not lapdogs to the DOJ.

A truly great addition to the District Judge Bench. She is knowledgeable and friendly.