Judge Robert Ronquillo Promoted; Will Leave Local Court in January

East Boston District Court’s First Justice Robert Ronquillo has been named Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court for a five-year term beginning on January 2, 2014. Chief Justice of the Trial Court Paula M. Carey made the appointed last week.

Judge Ronquillo was appointed to the bench in 2001 and named as a First Justice in 2007. He currently serves in that role for the East Boston Division of the Boston Municipal Court and has taken an active role in local communities with local schools and civic organizations.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Judge Roberto Ronquillo as Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court, an urban court key to the delivery of justice in the city of Boston,” said Chief Justice Carey. “He will effectively build upon the foundation provided by Chief Justice Charles R. Johnson who led the Boston Municipal Court through a period of dynamic change. Through his work on a wide range of judicial and administrative committees Judge Ronquillo has demonstrated the judgment, energy and dedication needed to lead that Court Department to the next level of excellence.”

Ronquillo took over the reins in East Boston from First Chief Justice Paul Mahoney in September 2008. Ronquillo had lived in Eagle Hill for several years before moving to Revere in 2001.

“I am honored by Chief Justice Carey’s confidence in me to lead the Boston Municipal Court, which has a great history of commitment to the conscientious, expeditious resolution of disputes within the communities we serve, along with a commitment to correction, education, respect and compassion. I look forward to working with her to advance the implementation of the Trial Court’s new strategic plan,” said Judge Ronquillo.

Since landing in East Boston Ronquillo worked tirelessly with area schools to make sure young students that may have slipped up once or twice do not go down the road of crime or drugs.

“I keep in touch with their school, keep an eye on their attendance and make every effort to ensure they become citizens that lead law abiding lives in the neighborhood or are held accountable for their actions,” said Judge Ronquillo of his work in this field.

Judge Ronquillo chairs the Trial Court’s recently named Language Access Advisory Committee and represents the Boston Municipal Court on the Specialty Courts Steering Group.