U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Craig Carpenito

New Jersey U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito, whose temporary appointment to the state's top federal law enforcement job was due to expire in early May, has had his appointment extended by the state's federal judiciary.

Carpenito was appointed to the job in early January by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, but under federal law, his term lasted 120 days. A former federal prosecutor and partner at Alston & Bird in New York, Carpenito had been considered the front-runner for the post of U.S. attorney, but a formal nomination from the White House has not been forthcoming.

If an appointment for U.S. attorney by the attorney general expires, the U.S. District Court for the district may make an appointment to fill the position “until the vacancy is filled,” under 28 U.S.C. §546.