N.J. Judge Accused Of Hindering Law Enforcement Appears Before Colleague

SOMERVILLE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey judge in trouble with the law made her first court appearance on Wednesday. She's accused of hindering the apprehension of her boyfriend wanted by authorities.

Judge Carlia Brady was in court, but not in her own courtroom.

The 41-year-old Superior Court judge had to come to the Somerset County Courthouse to answer to charges that she harbored a suspect, who attempted to rob a pharmacy, inside her Woodbridge home for an hour.

The man, sources told CBS 2's Christine Sloan, was her live-in boyfriend, Jason Prontnicki.

"We ask to enter a plea of not guilty on Mr. Brady's behalf," attorney Robert Scrivo said.

It was a tough day for a rising star. Brady is the first Filipino-American judge in New Jersey.

Prosecutors say the judge's boyfriend went into a pharmacy in Old Bridge back in April and threatened an employee with a tire iron before fleeing.

Sources said the judge's boyfriend was caught on surveillance tape and that he was known to the pharmacy employee for purchasing painkillers.

Brady's neighbors told Sloan they are saddened by the charges.

"A lapse in judgment would be the least .... I would just never have expected this from her ... She seemed like such a nice lady," Ashley Nunez said.

Neighbors said the judge took good care of her parents, who showed up Wednesday to support her.

They, along with Brady's attorney, chose not to speak to reporters.

Judge Brady, a Democrat, was recommended by members of her own party to Republican Gov. Chris Christie, who nominated her. That's because in New Jersey they alternate between Republicans and Democrats when judgeships open, Sloan reported.

Judge Brady was suspended without pay. She is out on her own recognizance because the judge presiding over the case said bail isn't required.

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