This program provides legal representation for children in child abuse and neglect and termination of parental rights proceedings in the family courts of the State of New Jersey. It has been a unit of the State Office of the Public Defender since 1975. A Law Guardian lawyer is appointed by a Family Court Judge in response to a complaint filed under the state's child welfare laws: Title 9, the child abuse and neglect statute and provisions of Title 30 placing children in the guardianship of the state. Although a complaint can be filed by any citizen concerned for a child's welfare, complaints are primarily filed by the state child protection agency, the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS). The Law Guardian also represents children in Kinship Legal Guardianship cases involving DYFS. The Law Guardian Office does not represent children in cases of voluntary out-of-home placement.

The Law Guardian Program also operates the DYFS Conflict Investigation Unit to investigate allegations of abuse made against staff of the DYFS or members of their families. This is done under an agreement with the Department of Human Services, designed to avoid a conflict of interest. The Law Guardian program utilizes attorneys and investigators located throughout the state.

The Law Guardian Attorney and Investigator

The Law Guardian Attorney and Investigator work together as a team on behalf of the child. The Attorney represents the child's wishes and protects his/her interests in the court proceedings. The position of the law guardian in any given case will depend upon the facts of that case and the wishes and needs of the child, if the child is of an age to allow his or her wishes to be known.

The Investigator assists the attorney in preparing the case by gathering information requested by the attorney. Field investigations are typically scheduled and completed in preparation for court and may include interviewing the child, school personnel, caregivers and other providers. The law guardian relies on the information gathered to accurately represent the child.

A listing of Law Guardian locations is included below:

E-mail: Law_Guardian@opd.state.nj.us

Atlantic/Cape May Counties

1300 Atlantic Avenue
Mezzanine
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
TEL 609-441-3773
FAX 609-441-3477

Bergen/Essex/Hudson Counties

31 Clinton Street
Post Office Box 46007
Newark, NJ 07101
TEL 973-648-4572
FAX 973-648-3220

Burlington County

50 Rancocas Road
Mt. Holly NJ 08060
TEL 609-518-3060
FAX 609-518-3072

Camden/Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem Counties

20 East Clementon Road
3rd FLoor
Gibbsboro, NJ 08026
TEL 856-346-8008
FAX 856-346-8017

Hunterdon/Mercer

210 South Broad Street
4th Floor
Post Office Box 850
Trenton, NJ 08625-0850
TEL 609-292-0220
FAX 609-777-0195

Middlesex/Somerset/Union

172A New Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
TEL 732-246-5912
FAX 732-729-6573

Monmouth/Ocean Counties

Juniper Business Plaza
3499 Route 9 North
Suite 1-G
Freehold, NJ 07728
TEL 732-863-4568
FAX 732-863-4567

Passaic County

66 Hamilton Street
3rd Floor
Paterson, NJ 07505
TEL 973-977-4150
FAX 973-225-7145

Sussex/Morris/ Warren Counties

83 Spring Street
Suite 301
Newton, NJ 07860
TEL 973-383-5002
FAX 973-383-9949

Law Guardian Statewide Administration/DYFS Conflict Investigation Unit

210 South Broad Street
4th Floor
Post Office Box 850
Trenton, NJ 08625-0850
TEL 609-292-0220
FAX 609-777-0195