ALPINE MARRIAGE & DIVORCE

Will all New Jersey mayors and judges willingly conduct civil union ceremonies under the newly enacted New Jersey statute? The New Jersey Attorney General has issued a legal opinion making it clear : officials who perform traditional marriage ceremonies must conduct civil union ones as well. The opinion points out that under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination refusing to officiate for civil unions while conducting conventional marriage ceremonies can bring removal from office and a $10,000 fine for the first offense.   New Jersey Lawyer, December 29, 2006