"The Robing Room: NJ State Judges

Hon. Christopher D. Rafano	See Rating Details
Superior Court Judge Superior Court
Middlesex County Vicinage 8	See Comments

Attorney Average Rating: 3.0 - 11 rating(s) Non-Attorney Average Rating: 1.0 - 14 rating(s)	Please send me alerts on this judge E-mail Address:

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General Rating Criteria

* Temperament		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Scholarship		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Industriousness		(1=Not at all industrious,10=Highly industrious)
* Ability to Handle Complex Litigation		(1=Awful,10=Excellent)
* Punctuality		(1=Chronically Late,10=Always on Time)
* General Ability to Handle Pre-Trial Matters		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
* General Ability as a Trial Judge		(1=Not all Able, 10=Extremely Able)
Flexibility In Scheduling		(1=Completely Inflexible,10=Very Flexible)

Criminal Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Criminal Litigation		(1=Demonstrates Bias,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
General Inclination Regarding Bail		(1=Pro-Defense,10=Pro-Government)
Involvement in Plea Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved, 10=Very Involved)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Pretrial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Trial Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)
General Inclination in Criminal Cases Sentencing Stage		(1=Pro-prosecution,10=Pro-defense)

Civil Rating Criteria (if applicable)

* Evenhandedness in Civil Litigation		(1=Not at all Evenhanded,10=Entirely Evenhanded)
Involvement in Settlement Discussions		(1=Not at all Involved,10=Very Involved)
General Inclination		(1=Pro-defendant, 10=Pro-plaintiff)

Comments

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What others have said about Hon. Christopher D. Rafano

Comments

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NJ4838
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Judge Rafano was an excellent prosecutor. He took his skill and knowledge to the bench. Brilliant judge.

Litigant

Comment #: NJ4145
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I am 60 years old, disabled and unemployed. On Mother's Day I was assaulted by my live in boyfriend that has a history of domestic violence. Judge Rafano gave him possession of the property, knowing I would be unable to rent another property without proof of employment. From what I understand he has been removed from the bench. AMEN

Litigant

Comment #: NJ4048
Rating:1.0

Comments:
I had a zoom hearing before this judge after 6 hours waiting to be brought in to the meeting and several calls to the court, at 11 pm I gave up. The next day I was made aware my TRO was granted but they would not let me back into the home because i failed to show for hearing. I sent screen shots proving I was still waiting. I am 60 years old, disabled and unemployed. I have a home office set up in the house because I need to get medical insurance. I also explained to the judge that the house application was granted on my credit history and profile. I advised that he could not pay the bills and was going to wait for the landlord to evict him. I had photo's of my injury as well as doctor reports detailing my disabilites. He did not find anything admissable. Nothing my boyfriend testified to was part of the report. He was rude and arrogant. He told me ihad to file a modifaction to the order to get back into the home. I told him I did, he said well do it again. I have no criminal charges no violent history he does. I am being given 25 minutes to remove all of my belongings from a 3 bedroom home. If anyone reading this has filed appeals and won I would love to hear how. IF THERE IS AN ATTORNEY OUT THERE WILLING TO HELP. PLEASE CONTACT ME

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NJ3997
Rating:1.8

Comments:
This judge was appointed by Chris Christie. His claim to fame was a Woodbridge Township judge for Municipal Court. He has violated the law so much that I had to file papers down at the appellate division against him. But as the appellate judge told me I’m not to know what they’ve done to him and that a Family Court judge has expertise and he does not have to abide by the law. My ex-wife works for a judge in the same courthouse. I try to get a change of venue. Even the Middlesex County probation officer who threatened me physically knew that my ex had lied filed false papers against me and had my Social Security and pension double garnished. In the last 14 years I’ve lost three homes because she’s been allowed to lie and file papers against me.Middlesex County probation department knows as a retired state employee my wife gets paid directly from pensions. Yet my probation officer signed paper saying I never paid my wife alimony and approved the double garnishments. Middlesex County is a kangaroo court and judges need to be held accountable for their actions.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NJ3996
Rating:10.0

Comments:
I appeared before Judge Rafano on a Motion to Dismiss involving a nebulous legal issue during the Covid period. He was logical, definitely knew the law, read the briefs, and most of all his ruling was logical and consistent with available legal precedent.
I won the motion but the opposing Plaintiff lawyer eventually obtained a favorable result.
Without going into detail, his ruling paved the way for a quick resolution of this case.

Litigant

Comment #: NJ3679
Rating:1.0

Comments:
RAFANO is completely arrogant and clearly needs to be given all the facts even after a motions been filed and there are DOCUMENTED evidence of Emotional &Verbal Abuse , Financial abuse . My ex was given multiple orders to submit proof of income and each time it was the dog ate it and the Judge went with it. 7 months to get a bench warrant instead of 2 weeks . Middlesex Family court is run like a circus of low functioning idiots, who can’t find paperwork or forget to acknowledge that one party never showed for court and then says no one showed for court.
No one communicates or follows through.
It’s just a courthouse that tells you to pay and file another motion and repeat .
EVERY MEDIATOR , IS a Trainwreck with no social etiquette nor ability to appropriate the needs of any party children being the most important. These fools are just waiting till it’s luNch time, to only come back and anticipate the 4:30 bell to go home.

Litigant

Comment #: NJ3678
Rating:1.0

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NJ3370
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He is most awful judge I have heard. How could point such man to be a judge.

I suspect he is involved in with some issues under table.

Other

Comment #: NJ3359
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge is terrible. He does not look at any evidence he makes decisions on his own emotions. Very unfair unprofessional, does not know the truth from a lie, lacks discernment. He uses his power to destroy innocent lives.

Litigant

Comment #: NJ3210
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Rafano has been my judge for 2 years, I have not agreed with some of his rulings but since he has left and Judge Pitchford has taken over for him I have found that Judge Ragano was way more fair then my current judge Pichfird. She definately goes about things in a very different way then I feel is appropriate. She doesn't look at the facts she just wants you to get along and uses terms and examples that made me uncomfortable. She is very unprofessional.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NJ3202
Rating:1.2

Comments:
In no way holds any honor with myself nor 19 of 20 others who rated him.not only a joke

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NJ3152
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He should never be a judge. He is a disgrace to the law and NJ.

Litigant

Comment #: NJ3015
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Rafano is a lazy, superficial judge who does not look at the facts. He does not rule in the best interest of the child. He thinks that 50/50 custody is the way to go when my ex has violated my FRO, one time being in court, has a criminal past and is a very angry violent man. He is the worst and should not be wearing that robe.

Other

Comment #: NJ3008
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
This judge is a prejudiced bozo only interested in generating money for the county and favoring politically networked NJ insiders, even if it means hurting a disabled person in the process. That’s not a judge, it’s a predatory and lunatics monster.

Prosecutor

Comment #: NJ2983
Rating:2.2

Comments:
Despicable behavior. He was fully biased for the defendant because she had an attorney, who seemed to know him well. If you don't have a lawyer, don't bother with this guy. He berated me for three hours and didn't hear most of my case by the end because he had somewhere else to be. Totally gross misconduct.

Civil Litigation - Private

Comment #: NJ2882
Rating:1.6

Comments:
This judge has shown favoritism toward county female staff. Has double garnished a plaintiff taken 80% of his social security check. Allowed the county staff member who was a fellow judges clerk file fals court doc to support her claims. Allowed those claims to be supported by the probation dept of middlesex county. Who never investigated the claim and agreed with the judges clerk. The plaintiff lost his home,handicap van and had to move across country to live in a family members basement. Papers were filed with Nj advisory committee 2018-058. A real discrase and trash should never be a judge.

Other

Comment #: NJ2773
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Apparently Rafano has sympathy for drug dealers and those who openly admit to acts of violence, so long as they are of the fairer complexion.

His personal bias and blatant disregard for facts are alarming. I dont believe he has the ability to detach and do his job well. A racist has no business being in a position of power.

Litigant

Comment #: NJ2742
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This is probably the worst judge that I ever had to deal with. He's lazy and does not take the time to verify facts. Not sure how he's able to keep his job for this long. My only hope is that he gets removed soon. Agree with most of the comments here. Rafano has no sympathy for a child that is in desperate need of psychological help. This jack ass does not believe in parental alienation. He is absolutely bias and also a racist. I am living a nightmare the past 3 years due to his negligence. If I could sue him I would. It takes him forever to make decisions and does not hold the other party accountable when they violate his orders. God helps you if he's your judge.

Other

Comment #: NJ2520
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Mr. Rafano does not deserve the title of judge. He is bias and should be removed the bench. If you are unfortunate not to be able to afford council, be prepared to lose your case. I have now lost my house and cannot afford rent. I am convinced Mr. Rafano does not have a single ounce of empathy in his body. RUN from this so called judge, RUN FAST!!!! BTW, read ALL the reviews. See anything in common??? If this was YELP this business would be closed by now!

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NJ2502
Rating:1.0

Comments:
was a single mother who raising a son by her self the father has never seen the child and he is now 12years old. Since I fled for modification in 2013, judge Rafanot is 100% with the father and refused to give me my chid support. Judge Rafano also ruled that I should pay the father seventy thousands for day care because I could not provide nine years of day care receipt and asked me to pay the father lawyer fees or five thousand six hundrend . I applied and every decision he made was reversed so I have no idia what you are talking about but I bet you are white because this judge is not competate and Chris Christie should had never hired prosecutor with no judge experience to a family court. After I won the appealed, he is still refusing to calculate my support and now he is using fraud that I did not put my house on my support when the father was not paying me his child support for 4 years and lied that he was not working. This judge is a discrase to the law. We have to go back to the appealled to ger me a judge not him.

Litigant

Comment #: NJ2497
Rating:10.0

Comments:
Anyone who complains about Judge Rafano is probably nothing short of being a loser/dead beat. Judge Rafano is an excellent Judge who is very fair with his rulings.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Comment #: NJ2496
Rating:1.0

Comments:
He is the wost recist and bias judge and he lacks knolege and not compitent

Other

Comment #: NJ2495
Rating:1.0

Comments:
No wonder Chris Christie will never be a governor in NJ again how can he picked such an incompetate judge that will not even follow the apeallet rulling. He is twisting it in his own way and saying that the appeallet rulling were wrong . Judge Rafano should be remove from beig a judge and she should never be a judge especially for family division.

Other

Comment #: NJ2381
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Extremely poor. My lawyer failed to show up and this judge would not allow me to postpone the session to get proper representation, which is a violation of my civil rights. He also seemed to have a bias relation to my ex's lawyer.He should be removed from the bench before he ruins other families. I called Trenton and gov. Chritie appointed him to the bench. RUN from this judge! If I could give a zero I would!!!!

Litigant

Comment #: NJ2235
Rating:Not Rated
Comments:
Judge Rafano is by far the best Judge in Middlesex County. He doesn't tolerate people who lie to him. He has excellent demeanor, listens to the facts of the case and rules appropriately. I only wish he handled my divorce, I probably would have not spent over 2 years in litigation. Judge Rafano is handling post judgment matters for me. Family Court is extremely difficult especially when your dealing with people who lie endlessly and try to take advantage of the court system. If he is your Judge, and you are honest and sincere, you will have a great outcome. Good luck.

Other

Comment #: NJ2232
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Rafano does not follow case law, even after it is spoon fed to him. He is bias and does not put facts above his own personal feelings. He does not care about domestic violence or the welfare of children, his only objective is not to keep a father away from his children regardless of the facts presented to him. He uses bits and pieces of the law to support his rulings. I hope he realizes when something bad happens to the women or children it will be on his hands. He is a disgrace to the judicial system and I will write to every oversight comite, regulatory agency and newspaper that will listen. You must remember at the end of the day he is still only one man who answers to someone. He is not the Law and he can be brought down. I pray his ruling in my daughter's case is over turned on appeal which is a strike against him. It does not look good for them when one of their cases is over turned. I hope he runs for public office one day because I will be sure to oppose him.

Other

Comment #: NJ2227
Rating:1.0

Comments:
A judge is suppose to listen to the facts and be unbiased and he does not. I hope his is removed before he continues to do harm.

Other

Comment #: NJ2226
Rating:1.0

Comments:
read the other reviews and agree. I am still dealing with him. I don't know if he is misogynistic,racist, incompetent or all. The Ex was lying, when I told Rafano he was lying he looked and him and said are you lying and he said no. Rafano then looked at me and said he is not lying. I said I have proof etc. and he said not now. Told him the ex submitted fraudulent tax income Rafano ignored me. Another time when I had a lawyer she told Rafano that he was showing prejudice against her client (me)and he totally blew her off. She later explained to me that he is biased against people who have lawyers because the other person can't defend themselves as well. I dropped her, I couldn't keep paying her and it made no difference to him. It didn't matter what I submitted to the court he doesn't read it doesn't care.

Other

Comment #: NJ2111
Rating:1.0

Comments:
Judge Rafano slammed me in Family Court. He is a disgrace to the bar. It's Ironic, one of my female friends had the same issue and her attorney was from Hogan & Longo as well. My ex-husband lied in every order to show cause, and my daughter told the Guardian ad Litem the truth. Rafano, with his lack of knowledge of family law forbid me to see my child. He discriminates against me. I've been left with no choice but to file civil suits against all parties involved.

Other

Comment #: NJ2016
Rating:1.0

Comments:
This new judge shows signs of bias,and doesn't seem to want to work well with people who represent themselves. I can't even get an oral hearing with him, plus I don't think he looks over the important facts of my case. He even went and changed the $30,000 imputed income that the divorce judge ordered against my ex wife and lowered it to $18,000 all based a fraudulent tax return, my God she didn't even report my $13,000 in alimony. And the biggest joke is the C I S my ex spends $39,000 a year this in her own hand writing, so how does this happen. I will never give up, even if it means going to the appellant court. The truth of my ex's crimes will come out.