New Jersey Office of the Public Defender

New Jersey government agency

Joseph E. Krakora, Public Defender

Websitehttp://www.nj.gov/defender/

The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (OPD) is an agency that is a part of the government of the state of New Jersey, in the United States.^[1] The agency provides legal aid to "low income people charged with major crimes."^[2]

The agency was first established in 1967.^[1] In 1974, the agency was incorporated into New Jersey Department of the Public Advocate.^[1] With the abolition of the Public Advocate in 1994,^[3] the OPD became organized "in but not of" the Department of the Treasury to ensure its independence from the New Jersey Attorney General.^[1]

Although the OPD by definition represents low-income defendants, its 1967 enabling legislation required that "in cases where it appears that the defendant has the means to meet some of the cost of services rendered by the public defender, the defendant is required to reimburse the office."^[4] This requirement was eliminated in 2023 with the passage of Senate Bill S3771 and its enactment into law.^[5]

In December 2023, Jennifer Sellitti was appointed to succeed Joseph E. Krakora as the Public Defender, and will take office effective February 1, 2024.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "OPD History". New Jersey Office of the Public Defender.
^ Miller, Melville D.; Holness, Leighton A. (1998). You and the Law in New Jersey: A Resource Guide. Rutgers University Press. p. 13. ISBN 978-0-8135-2532-7. new jersey office of the public defender?.
^ Public Advocate Restructuring Act, New Jersey State Library
^ Sponsor's Statement to Senate Bill S3771 (2022-2023)
^ Senate Bill S3771, Approved P.L.2023, c.69
^ New state public defender aims to bring modern approach to indigent defense, New Jersey Monitor, Jan. 23, 2024