A4897

Establishes a holistic representation model in the Office of Public Defender.

Establishes a collaborative representation model in the Office of Public Defender known as the New Jersey Holistic Representation Model. This model pairs public defender staff attorneys with trained non-attorney social service professionals to address underlying issues contributing to the client’s involvement in the criminal justice system. The model is voluntary and eligibility-based, with a team-based approach for each client participant. The Public Defender is responsible for ensuring that all public defender staff complete in-service training triennially on trauma-based approaches.