New Jersey Office of the Public Defender

Are you passionate about immigration law and eager to dive into new legal realms? We’re looking for a dedicated Attorney Assistant to support our dynamic Immigration team at NJOPD! Apply now and be part of a team that values holistic, collaborative representation. #NJOPD #NJOPDjobs #immigrationlaw #joinNJOPD #publicdefender

As we wrap up another fantastic summer, NJOPD is excited to celebrate the success of our 2024 Summer Internship Program! We welcomed 99 bright and eager interns this year—including 56 law students and 43 college students—who gained invaluable experience from May to August. They had the unique opportunity to shadow attorneys and investigators as well as participate in client meetings, trainings, witness interviews, and court proceedings. A huge thank you to all NJOPD employees who made this year's program a tremendous success! Your dedication and support have made a lasting impact on the next generation of public defenders. #NJOPD #InternshipProgram #PublicDefense

The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender is hiring a Deputy Public Defender 1 in Bergen County! Join our team and play a crucial role in defending the rights of those accused of indictable and juvenile offenses. As a Deputy Public Defender, you'll support our Assistant Public Defender, oversee our Bergen County Criminal Trial Regional Office, and guide our talented team of Assistant Deputy Public Defenders. Ready to make a difference? Click below for more details and to apply! https://lnkd.in/eraz7srF #NJOPD #NJOPDjobs #NewJerseyJobs #BergenCounty #PublicDefender

NJOPD was thrilled to attend the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges’ 87th Annual Conference earlier this week. During the event, our very own Traci Telemaque and Alexis Pollock partnered with the Honorable David B. Katz to present a child welfare session titled “A Social Insecurity: Children Paying For Foster Care.” #NJOPD #NCJFCJ #childwelfare #publicdefenders

Join us in congratulating Kelly Lerner Sanders on her new position as NJOPD’s Director of Division of Mental Health Advocacy! In this role, Kelly will collaborate closely with Public Defender Jennifer Sellitti to continue integrating mental health services into the office’s holistic, person-focused defense model. This approach aims to deepen understanding of mental health issues, create linkages to service providers, enhance court outcomes, and reduce stigma for those affected. #NJOPD #mentalhealth #holisticdefense #holisticrepresentation #newjersey More here: https://lnkd.in/ec2nPjmi

Considering a career in State government? Our 12-month Governor’s Fellowship Program may be right for you!   NJOPD is looking for a Governor’s Fellow to research, review, and analyze legislation and data as it informs policy in all office practice areas, with a focus on parole and criminal justice reform. This individual will report to an Assistant Public Defender and work closely with leadership and our policy and data teams. Additionally, the Governor’s Office will provide mentorship and networking opportunities to the individual selected for this position.   Click below for more information about this opening and how to apply.   #NJOPD #NJOPDjobs #newjerseyjobs #parole #criminajusticereform #governorsfellow #publicdefender   https://lnkd.in/e_9ARkjY

Thank you, New Jersey Institute of Technology, for hosting a wonderful Forensic Science Education Conference! During this event, Public Defender Jennifer Sellitti was thrilled to lead a keynote discussion titled “Holding the Government Accountable when Science is Offered in the Courtroom,” which was geared toward middle and high school science teachers, STEM supervisors and principals who evaluate forensic classes.

ICYMI: Yesterday, the New Jersey Supreme Court held that children can no longer be condemned to permanent lifetime sex-offender registration for committing an offense, however minor it may be, after placement on the Megan’s Law registry. Learn more about this significant decision here: https://lnkd.in/eAJUzVxC #NJOPD #NewJerseySupremeCourt #MegansLaw #CriminalJustice

Statement from NJOPD Deputy Public Defender Stephanie Lutz: “We applaud today’s pivotal decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court in the cases of In the Matter of R.H. and In the Matter of T.L. As argued in our brief, New Jersey’s legal framework meticulously distinguishes between adult convictions and juvenile adjudications across statutes and court precedents, including provisions of Megan’s Law.    The Supreme Court’s reversal of the Appellate Division’s ruling underscores a crucial point: minors accused of sex offenses should not be unfairly judged by standards meant for adults convicted of similar crimes. The courts have recognized time and again that children are different: they are less mature and developed when they offend, more likely to rehabilitate after their offenses as they age, and extremely unlikely to reoffend as adults. This decision reaffirms our commitment to safeguarding constitutional liberties and advocating tirelessly for justice in every case we undertake at NJOPD. We are encouraged by this outcome and remain steadfast in our mission to uphold fairness and protect the rights of all individuals under the law.   NJOPD gratefully acknowledges the dedicated efforts of Assistant Deputy Public Defenders Jonathan Ingram and Jesse DeBrosse. Since 2019, they have meticulously crafted our legal argument and persistently advocated in trial and appellate courts, as well as before the New Jersey Supreme Court. Thanks to their steadfast determination, juveniles adjudicated delinquent will now have the chance to challenge and alleviate the permanent, lifelong burden of registration.” #NJOPD #MegansLaw #NewJerseySupremeCourt #criminaljustice #criminallaw #juvenileadjudications

We’re excited to name Danica Rue our first-ever Director of Investigations and Police Accountability! Danica will lead statewide efforts to strengthen the partnership between public defenders and investigators to further the goal of providing holistic, collaborative defense services to the people we represent. She will also assist attorneys in litigating police-related issues, develop systems to track police and prosecutorial misconduct in NJOPD cases, and promote policies to address systemic misconduct. Join us in congratulating Danica! #NJOPD #publicdefender #policeaccountability #holisticdefense #holisticrepresentation #NewJersey https://lnkd.in/evwfnbAR