As Weehawken resident Fred Theemling continued preparations to finish the transformation from a former Hudson County Prosecutor into a Superior Court Judge, which will take place July 30, he reflected back on the last five years that he served as prosecutor.
"I have mixed emotions," Theemling said last week. "Becoming a judge is very important, but being the prosecutor has been so exciting. I was constantly bombarded with issues and problems and I found that to be stimulating. I guess it’s like an athlete who moves on to become a coach. I worked with a lot of great people and I’m going to miss them."
Theemling, who was born and raised in Weehawken, will basically trade places with former First Assistant Prosecutor Edward DeFazio later this month.
Theemling, a Republican, will move into the Hudson County Superior Court and work in the civil division of the bench. DeFazio, a Democrat who became a judge last year, will become the new prosecutor.
Theemling will become the first Weehawken native to receive an appointment to the Superior Court since Judge George Moser was appointed to the bench in 1985.
Theemling also falls into a line of former Hudson County Prosecutors who later became judges, which includes current Superior Court members Geoffrey Gaulkin (also a Weehawken resident), Paul DePascale and Carmen Messano.
Although Theemling says that he will miss working as a prosecutor, he looks forward to the challenge of serving from the bench.
"I look at becoming a judge as the pinnacle of my legal career," said Theemling, who has been an attorney since 1972. "For the longest time, I’ve really wanted to pursue becoming a judge. I figured I had enough experience that I could do the job better. I also have a lot of life experience. With a combination of the legal and life experience, I feel that I could come back with a sound legal decision."
Added Theemling, "Everyone believes that becoming a judge is the best position in the legal profession. It’s honorable, it’s stimulating, and this way, I only have to worry about the law. I had to worry about other things in the prosecutor’s office."
Theemling was an assistant prosecutor in the 1970s, but left public service to work for insurance companies, practicing civil law for 19 years (from 1978-1997). During that time, Theemling was also the chairman of the Weehawken Rent Leveling Board for 10 years and the attorney for the Weehawken Free Public Library Board.
"I’ve done a variety of things," Theemling said. "I worked in real estate law, commercial law. It’s only the last five years [as prosecutor] that I worked in criminal law again."
Accomplishments
Theemling said that he is proud of the several accomplishments that were attained during his five-year tenure as prosecutor.
"Hudson County became the only county in the state to handle its own rap and child abuse cases," Theemling said. "We once had facilities that were deplorable, but thanks to the work of the assistants and detectives, we have a fine facility on Duncan Avenue. We’ve also been able to instill a program where we can videotape all child abuse victims, which was mandated after the [Kelly] Michaels case. The facility is now much more conducive for the victims and that’s been a great accomplishment."
Theemling said that there were advances in technology during his tenure, which made the collection of evidence and the apprehension of criminals much easier.
"It was a great accomplishment and I hoping that Eddie [DeFazio] will be able to capitalize on what we’ve been able to done," Theemling said. "The citizens have been served well and the quality of the office remained supreme and I expect that to continue under Eddie."
Theemling, a product of the Weehawken grade school system, graduated from Xavier High School in New York before gaining his undergraduate degree from St. Peter’s College and his law degree from Seton Hall.
"I’ve been around a long time and I hope to be able to give a few more years of solid service to the people of Hudson County," Theemling said.
What does Theemling expect to bring to the bench?
"I expect to bring common sense," Theemling said. "I have a lot of experience, especially living in such a diverse community like Hudson County. I’ve seen different types of people, different ethnic personalities, and I think that is going to help me deal with people’s problems a little better. I think everything I’ve accomplished is going to be very helpful on the bench."