Press Releases

The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD) announced today that the Supreme Court of New Jersey has entered a consent order resolving litigation concerning delays in processing expungement petitions in Essex County.

ICYMI: STONO to Host Summer of Freedom Expungement Clinics

08/12/2025

STONO Public Affairs, the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, and Volunteers of America Delaware Valley are excited to announce STONO Summer of Freedom, a series of expungement clinics, connecting formerly incarcerated individuals with crucial legal services.

ICYMI: Acting Governor Way Signs Legislation to Protect Individuals Seeking Substance Use Treatment

08/11/2025

Public Defender Jennifer Sellitti said: "This legislation represents a crucial step toward holding treatment providers and recovery residences to the highest ethical standards, ensuring that people can trust the care and support they seek."

Statement from Director Rue Following the Termination of DOJ's Investigation into Trenton Police Practices

05/22/2025

Danica Rue, Director of Investigations and Police Accountability, comments on the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to terminate its investigation into the Trenton Police Department.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Announces Agreement to Settle Lawsuit Against the New Jersey State Police, Securing Prompt Expungement Processing for New Jerseyans

03/13/2025

NJOPD today announced that it has agreed to terms of a settlement that will resolve ongoing litigation against the New Jersey State Police regarding its alleged violations of New Jerseyans’ rights to timely processing of judicial expungement orders and clearing of expunged criminal records.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Unveils Collaborative, Holistic Representation Model to Address the Complex Needs of Individuals in the Criminal Legal System

03/04/2025

NJOPD today announced the official launch of its collaborative, holistic representation model, marking a significant shift toward a more person-centered approach to its work.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Launches Infographic Highlighting Technical Parole Violation Injustices

01/14/2025

NJOPD's new infographic highlights the critical injustices individuals face when incarcerated for technical parole violations.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Appoints Assistant Public Defender Lynette Renté to Lead Statewide Office of Parental Representation

12/19/2024

Assistant Public Defender Lynette Renté will oversee NJOPD’s efforts to provide high-quality legal representation to parents and families involved in the child welfare system with a focus on strengthening and reunifying families across the state.

ICYMI: ACLU-NJ Celebrates First Releases from State Prison Under its Clemency Project

12/16/2024

Public Defender Jennifer Sellitti said: “Governor Murphy’s groundbreaking clemency initiative aims to right the wrongs of unjust and overly harsh sentences, while also acknowledging the powerful potential for human redemption. We look forward to working with our partners at ACLU-NJ to ensure that those we serve continue to receive consideration as part of this important work.”

Statement From Public Defender Sellitti Following Federal Report on Trenton Police Department

11/22/2024

Public Defender Sellitti comments on a federal report about the Trenton Police Department.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender and Partners for Justice Team Up to Advance Collaborative, Holistic Defense Model in New Jersey

11/21/2024

NJOPD and PFJ today announced a new partnership aimed at enhancing collaborative, holistic representation for individuals involved in the criminal legal system, with an initial focus on New Jersey’s Atlantic, Monmouth, and Hudson counties.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Launches Division of Engagement and Research to Advance Systemic Legal Reform

11/19/2024

The Division of Engagement and Research brings together public defenders, data scientists, legislative experts, and communications professionals to gather, evaluate, and disseminate information that supports evidence-based practices, informs policy decisions, and amplifies the voices of those most impacted by New Jersey’s legal system.

ICYMI: Attorney General Platkin, Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance Partner With New Jersey Office of the Public Defender to Launch Community Education Initiative on Restorative Justice

11/08/2024

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance (VIVA) announced that VIVA’s Office of Trial and Criminal Justice Process has partnered with the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender to launch a community education initiative aimed at increasing the public’s understanding of restorative justice principles.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Welcomes Largest New Class of Attorneys in Agency History

10/28/2024

The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender is excited to announce its largest new class of attorneys in the agency’s 57-year history, welcoming 51 talented individuals across the state.

ICYMI: Volunteers of America Delaware Valley Announces Launch of the Safe Return Legal Navigator Program

10/22/2024

Volunteers of America Delaware Valley announced the launch of the Safe Return Legal Navigator Program to enhance its existing IMPACT (Immediate Mobilization of Police Assisted Crisis Teams) service delivery model.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Advances Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging With New Team

09/30/2024

NJOPD announced the formation of a dedicated Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging team, reaffirming its dedication to fostering a vibrant and inclusive workplace.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Further Enhances Leadership Team With Arrival of Former NJ Judiciary Director

09/23/2024

As an NJOPD Assistant Public Defender, Jennifer Perez will leverage her deep knowledge of governmental systems and external databases to enhance the agency’s operational efficiency.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Announces New Director to Lead Statewide Mental Health Advocacy Division

07/22/2024

As NJOPD's Director of Division of Mental Health Advocacy, Kelly Lerner Sanders will collaborate closely with Public Defender Jennifer Sellitti to continue integrating mental health services into the office’s holistic, person-focused defense model.

Special Litigation Team Secured Significant Supreme Court Win for Megan’s Law Clients

07/01/2024

NJOPD's Special Litigation team secured a major Supreme Court win for its Megan’s Law clients, a result that will remove a significant impediment to Megan’s Law termination for an entire class of juvenile offenders.

NJOPD Names Director of Investigations and Police Accountability to Oversee Statewide Initiatives

06/28/2024

Danica Rue 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.

ICYMI: Governor Murphy Launches Historic Clemency Initiative

06/19/2024

Governor Phil Murphy today outlined his plans to issue pardons and commutations using best practices that include expedited consideration for certain clemency applications.

Public Defender Sellitti, Attorney General Platkin and New Jersey State Police Announce Interim Consent Order to Further Streamline Expungement Process

05/09/2024

The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, the Office of the Attorney General and the New Jersey State Police today announced that as part of ongoing litigation, an Interim Consent Order has been entered in State Superior Court aimed at creating a more efficient solution to how the NJSP processes outstanding judicial expungement orders.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Announces Director of People and Culture to Lead Comprehensive Employee-Related Initiatives

04/23/2024

Lauren Michaels is a long-time employee of the NJOPD and will leverage her deep understanding of the office’s processes and systems to continue supporting the evolving needs of its staff.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Welcomes Assistant Public Defender to Push Forward Client-Centered, Holistic Defense Model

04/17/2024

Prescott Loveland will tap his interdisciplinary background and deep knowledge of collaborative defense to help support NJOPD’s transition to a more integrated and holistic model.

New Jersey Office of the Public Defender Continues Commitment to Public Engagement Through Arrival of Director of Communications

04/11/2024

Cristina LiBassi brings extensive communications, PR and social media experience to NJOPD as we further enhance public engagement initiatives across the state.