"Where a white legal professional might see stats, I see people. Because, after all, the systemic issues that affect my clients have also affected me."
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TRENTON – November 21, 2024 – The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD) and the national nonprofit, Partners for Justice (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. Both organizations are deeply committed to team defense and to addressing the root causes of legal involvement to achieve better futures for all New Jerseyans.
“This new partnership between the Office of the Public Defender and Partners for Justice will help bridge gaps between legal and personal needs for individuals involved in our criminal defense system,” said Governor Phil Murphy. "From obtaining mental health counseling or substance use treatment to securing ID cards or work permits, these comprehensive services will help set clients up for success as they rebuild their lives.”
Through this partnership, NJOPD and PFJ will collaborate on a wide range of projects, leveraging their respective strengths to bridge the gap between legal strategy and human needs. Initial efforts include placing PFJ-trained Client Advocates in NJOPD offices to link individuals with community resources and guidance that can secure more equitable outcomes. These advocates and PFJ staff will:
Connect with those NJOPD serves to learn about their challenges and goals.
Assist people represented by NJOPD with various underlying issues, such as obtaining mental health counseling or substance use treatment, accessing supports and benefits, maintaining work licenses, securing identification, and linking with other legal services, both inside and outside NJOPD.
Maintain a database of community-based services and resources, including community organizations and civil legal services, so they can appropriately refer and advocate for impacted persons.
Advocate for individuals with service providers, landlords, employers, and others, telling their stories in a way that drives positive outcomes.
Partner closely with NJOPD attorneys to provide relevant information and documents for criminal cases and other legal issues.
Train NJOPD staff on trauma-informed approaches and collaborative defense best practices.
"Public defense is about more than what happens in the courtroom; it is about public safety,” said Public Defender Jennifer Sellitti. “By better integrating trained advocates into our teams, we can further ensure those we serve not only receive exceptional legal representation but also the support they need to navigate challenges both inside and outside the courtroom.”
“What Jennifer and her team are building in New Jersey is groundbreaking, and we are so excited to be a part of it,” said Emily Galvin-Almanza, PFJ’s founder and co-executive director. “We know from our work with 21 other states across the nation that there is inherent power within public defense to be engines of stability, safety, and prosperity. When defenders can innovate, like in New Jersey, it means they can play a major role in reducing incarceration and helping people return home from jail safely."
This partnership marks a significant step toward ensuring that every individual receives the collaborative, holistic representation they deserve, and that is known to improve lives and communities.
