New Somerset County prosecutor confirmed by state

New Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson will oversee new bail reform taking place throughout New Jersey.

SOMERVILLE -- New Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, who took office on March 6, replacing Geoffrey Soriano, was confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee and unanimously approved by the state Senate on Monday in Trenton.

Robertson, who grew up in Bridgewater and graduated from Ridge High School in Bernards in 1995, will formally take the oath of office in January in the Ceremonial Room in the Historic Courthouse. He began his law career as a clerk for then-Somerset County state Superior Court Judge Victor Ashrafi.

"I'm humbled and honored," said Robertson. "I've been a prosecutor for the past 12 years. I'm extremely dedicated to public service. This is an opportunity for someone like myself who has lived in Somerset County for over 30 years to give back. I look forward to serving the community."

One of the biggest challenges facing Robertson is the new bail reform that goes into effect on Jan. 1. He said many of those charged in connection with a crime will no longer face a monetary bail. Bail will be based on the danger a defendant poses to the community and his flight risk combined with his criminal background. Bail will be set of a scale of 1 to 6, he said.

"I'm working with my staff and defense bar to make this transition as smooth as possible," he said. "This is the same system that has been in place on the federal level, so I have experience on how it works."

First Lady, prosecutor fight opioid addiction

Robertson, 40, worked at the U.S. Attorney's office while Gov. Chris Christie was still overseeing the office as chief federal law enforcement office in New Jersey.

Since taking office, Robertson, who worked at the U.S. Attorney's office while Gov. Chris Christie was still overseeing it, said he has implemented changes in every facet of the office, worked diligently to improve community/police relationships and remains dedicated to addressing the heroin and opioid epidemic in the county.

Robertson, whose father is a retired Secret Service Agent who once worked in President Ronald Reagan's security detail and is from a family of law enforcement officials, spent the past eight years as an assistant U.S. Attorney working out of the Newark office.

Prior to that, he was an assistant prosecutor in the Essex County Prosecutor's Office for three years and prosecuted a wide range of crimes.