Carmen M. García was a gubernatorial appointee to the New Jersey State Parole Board, serving as an associate board member for 14 years. During her tenure through various administrations, García served as vice-chair of the Decision Making Processes and Procedures Committee, an active member of the Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee, and as the executive branch representative on the State Council of the Interstate Commission for Juveniles. She has previously served Capital Health as Secretary, Capital Health System Hospital Board of Directors.
García is a former Chief Judge of the Municipal Court for the Capital City of Trenton in New Jersey. She served with distinction as a municipal jurist for 16 years. During that time, she developed and administered New Jersey’s first Municipal Drug Court Program, which provided diversionary treatment to first-time offenders. García was the first Hispanic appointed to the bench in Mercer County and the second Latina ever appointed to the bench in the State of New Jersey.
García’s illustrious career also includes service as assistant counsel to former New Jersey Governor Thomas H. Kean, judicial law clerk to the Honorable Joseph H. Rodriguez in the United States District Court of New Jersey, and as corporate litigation associate at the Cohen Shapiro law firm in Philadelphia, PA.
García received her juris doctorate from Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, New Jersey. She graduated magna cum laude from St. Josephʼs University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. Upon her graduation, she was awarded a Rotary International Graduate Fellowship.
Though retired from State service, García is a recognized community leader who remains actively involved in numerous professional, civic and volunteer associations and activities.