Director of Investigations and Police Accountability Danica Rue recently spoke with NJ.com about the East Orange police’s practice of asking individuals suspected or arrested for shoplifting to sign confessions and agree to be banned from nearly a dozen local stores. Danica raised concerns about the legality of this practice, noting that such bans could negatively impact people's access to essential items like food and medication. Read on: https://lnkd.in/ePsbui9g #NJOPD #publicdefender #EastOrange #shoplifting
New Jersey Office of the Public Defender
Legal Services
Trenton, New Jersey 2,265 followers
Providing first-class legal representation since 1967
About us
The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD) is the country's premiere statewide legal services organization, providing criminal defense and other services to indigent residents in New Jersey. The first centralized system of its kind in the United States, the NJOPD was founded on July 1, 1967 to fulfill the traditional role of providing legal counsel to indigent defendants charged with indictable offenses. The NJOPD has served for more than five decades as a model for the delivery of public defense services, and continues to be contacted today by states considering switching to a statewide system. In its criminal-defense function, the NJOPD not only provides legal counsel at the Superior Court trial level in each of the state's 21 counties, but also handles appeals and other ancillary legal proceedings. In addition to providing attorneys to represent adults and youth in criminal cases, the NJOPD, through the Office of Law Guardian (OLG) and Office of Parental Representation (OPR), provides attorneys to represent children and parents in abuse and neglect and termination of parental rights cases. The NJOPD's Division of Mental Health Advocacy (MHA) provides constitutionally mandated representation for indigent clients at voluntary and involuntary psychiatric commitment hearings. NJOPD also represents individuals who have been convicted of sex offenses and are facing Megan’s Law tier classification (Special Hearings Unit), individuals seeking post-conviction relief (Conviction Integrity Unit), and clients in other areas including Recovery Court and Intensive Supervision Program matters. For a listing of all regional offices, please visit https://www.state.nj.us/defender/regional/index.shtml#2
- Website
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https://www.state.nj.us/defender/
External link for New Jersey Office of the Public Defender
- Industry
- Legal Services
- Company size
- 1,001-5,000 employees
- Headquarters
- Trenton, New Jersey
- Type
- Government Agency
- Founded
- 1967
- Specialties
- Criminal Indigent Defense, Youth Defense, Appeals, Trials, Criminal Justice Reform, Recovery Court, Mental Health Advocacy, Conviction Integrity, Office of Law Guardian, Office of Parental Representation, Motions, and Special Litigation
Locations
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Primary
25 Market St
Trenton, New Jersey 08611, US
Employees at New Jersey Office of the Public Defender
Updates
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Exciting Announcement: NJOPD is thrilled to welcome our largest new class of attorneys in the agency's 57-year history! This talented group of 51 attorneys will further enhance our ability to address high caseloads and reinforce our commitment to providing first-class legal representation to all New Jersey residents. Learn more about our new class here: https://lnkd.in/eW-G7eun Join us in celebrating this significant milestone. #NJOPD #publicdefender #NewJersey #criminaldefense #youthdefense #parentalrepresentation #mentalhealth #lawguardian #appellate #specialhearings #joinNJOPD #NJOPDjobs
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ICYMI: With proposed law, New Jersey aims to support vulnerable foster youth by ensuring they are not charged for their care, joining other states. If enacted, bipartisan bill S-3153, would prevent the state Department of Children and Families (DCF) from using the property or benefits of children in their custody to cover care costs. Instead, the DCF would be required to hold these benefits in a secure account for the child's future use. Read on for more information: https://lnkd.in/edYwa-XJ #fosteryouth #fosterchildren #lawguardian #newjersey
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Have a non-violent offense in your past that is holding you back from gaining employment or housing? Come to Burlington County’s 4th annual Expungement Clinic & Resource Fair on Thursday, October 24. This event is completely free, no appointment is needed, and lunch will be available. #NJOPD #newjersey #BurlingtonCounty #expungements #expungementclinic
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Are you passionate about constitutional or mental health law? If so, we have an exciting position for you! Join our Mental Health Advocacy team as an Assistant Deputy Public Advocate in our Gibbsboro office. In this role, you will perform essential duties related to initial commitment, periodic review, voluntary approval, and placement hearings at federal, state, county, general and private psychiatric hospitals for adults and children. Additionally, you will provide legal representation for clients of the Division of Developmental Disabilities during guardianship hearings. Ready to make a difference? Apply here: https://lnkd.in/e4jzSTuN #NJOPD #joinNJOPD #NJOPDjobs #newjerseyjobs #NJjobs #publicdefender #mentalhealth
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Exciting Career Opportunity: Join NJOPD as a Deputy Public Defender in Cumberland County! As a key member of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to oversee regional trial office operations as well as supervise Assistant Deputy Public Defenders in the county. Learn more about how you can directly impact the lives of those we serve: https://lnkd.in/diiaW2_Z #NJOPD #joinNJOPD #NJOPDjobs #newjerseyjobs #NJjobs #publicdefender
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Join us for our second virtual workshop on restorative justice! Tomorrow, NJOPD will again partner with the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance to explore the history and principles of restorative justice, delve into the legislation behind the Sexual Violence Restorative Justice Pilot Program, address common misconceptions and potential legal issues, and highlight the vital role of victims in the restorative process. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eDYCRKY3 #NJOPD #VIVA #restorativejustice
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We'd like to thank Greater Essex Counseling Services LLC for inviting us to engage with our community, offer important resources, and help individuals register to vote during its 4th Annual Greater Essex Community Resource Event! #NJOPD #communityengagement #greateressex #publicdefender
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Congratulations to Laura C. Sutnick on her well-deserved recognition at the annual Bergen County Bar Association (BCBA) President's Gala! Recently sworn in as the 126th President of the Association, Laura has made a remarkable impact on Bergen County through her dedicated service and advocacy as a criminal defense attorney. Thank you, Laura, for your unwavering commitment to our community and for all that you continue to do!
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A huge thank you to Alex Ebert and Bloomberg Law for shining a light on the critical issues surrounding the use of forensic science technology within the criminal legal system. This article underscores the essential work of public defenders nationwide, who are diligently challenging the reliability of Big Tech tools to ensure fair representation for all. Discover how NJOPD’s newly established Forensic Science Unit, led by Deputy Public Defender Tamar Lerer, is making strides in this important field below. #NJOPD #forensicscience #publicdefender #bigtechinlaw #criminaljustice
Workplace surveillance led to the arrest of an alleged armed robber--and his attorneys got him out by fighting the AI facial recognition tools that put him behind bars. Police tools & the trillion-dollar-industries building them, are at the center of today's court battles over guilt & innocence. Read (no paywall) how states are forming forensic public defender teams taking on big tech. Bloomberg Law
AI Put on Trial in ‘Life or Death’ Police Tech Courtroom Clashes
news.bloomberglaw.com