The New Jersey State Office of the Public Defender is committed to providing first class legal representation to citizens who cannot afford attorneys at both the trial and appellate levels. While the majority of our attorneys defend individuals charged with criminal offenses, we also represent individuals whose children have been removed based on allegations of abuse and neglect (Office of Parental Representation), the children who have been removed (Office of Law Guardian), and individuals involuntarily committed to State psychiatric facilities (Office of Mental Health Advocacy). The NJOPD has a national reputation for excellence and, as a state-wide agency, has been a leader in criminal justice reform, particularly the elimination of monetary bail that is the hallmark of NJ’s national model for risk based pretrial release. We are looking for attorneys with the skills and dedication needed to continue the NJOPD’s tradition of excellence along with investigators and clerical staff willing and able to provide the support without which the attorneys cannot perform at the highest level. We are also determined to provide excellent training opportunities to allow for the professional development of our employees. Finally, we are constantly upgrading our technology in order to meet the needs of post-pandemic law practice.

If you have any questions about the New Jersey State Office of the Public Defender, you can contact us at thedefenders@opd.nj.gov  or (609) 292-7087.