NJ legislators want to pair public defenders with social workers statewide

The state public defender says a three-county pilot program connecting criminal defendants to social services proves it works. Two lawmakers want to expand it.

By: Dana DiFilippo

Outlets: New Jersey Monitor

Published: May 5, 2026

Words: 468

Last Updated: 2 months, 2 weeks ago

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A program that pairs public defenders with case workers to connect criminal defendants to social services has been so successful that New Jersey officials want to expand it statewide.

The state Office of the Public Defender helped 773 clients get housing, health care, jobs, and other support last year under a “holistic defense representation” strategy it piloted in Atlantic, Hudson, and Monmouth counties. That was five times as many people as the office …

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