SOMERVILLE — Carlia Brady stood in the courtroom, but there was no black robe draped over her shoulders or wooden gavel beside her hand.
Instead, the suspended Superior Court judge appeared today in a gray suit — her attorneys on either side — accused of hindering authorities from apprehending her companion, who was wanted in an armed robbery.
Brady, 41, of Woodbridge, appeared before Superior Court Judge Robert Reed in Somerville, and pleaded not guilty to two counts of hindering the apprehension of a fugitive. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
“Ms. Brady, you are here because it is alleged that you have violated the New Jersey criminal code,” Reed told Brady before explaining her rights as a defendant, including the right to remain silent. Reed ordered Brady to surrender her passport, saying she could not leave New Jersey or the United States.
Brady, who was sworn in April 5, barely spoke during the hearing. She is the first Filipino-American appointed a judge in New Jersey and was assigned to the civil division in Middlesex County.
The case was moved by the Attorney General’s Office to Somerset County because of the potential conflict.
In a phone interview later, Morristown-based attorney Robert Scrivo, who addressed Reed on Brady’s behalf, maintained that his client is innocent of the charges.
“We’re eager for the full facts to emerge and…plan on mounting a vigorous defense to these charges,” Scrivo said. “Both her attorneys and our client have great faith in the judicial system that adheres to the principle that any defendant is innocent until proven guilty.”
Scrivo declined further comment.
Brady is accused of “knowingly harboring” Jason Prontnicki in her Woodbridge home for about one hour and “never making any attempt to contact law enforcement,” according to the complaint filed against her.
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