Bulletin: NJ2023004

Dear Associates:

Please be advised that on June 30, 2023, the state of New Jersey has enacted the following bill, A5587/S3771, which eliminates all public defender fees, as well as any unpaid civil judgments, property liens and warrants issued for unpaid balances associated with services from the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, regardless of whether the clients were found guilty.

This act repeals the law concerning fees for services rendered by the Office of the Public Defender.

Any unpaid outstanding fees previously assessed or imposed upon a defendant for services  rendered by the public defender are vacated, and any outstanding liens entered on any and all property to which the defendant shall have or acquire an interest, are deemed to be null and void and shall be vacated and discharged by the Office of the Public Defender.

Furthermore, any unsatisfied civil judgements based on court-ordered fees for services rendered by the Office of the Public Defender are deemed to be null and void and shall be vacated and discharged.

Lastly, all warrants issued solely based on the alleged failure to pay or to appear on a court date set for the sole purpose of payment of statutory or court-ordered fines, fees, costs, or other monetary penalties previously assessed or imposed for services rendered by the Office of the Public Defender shall be reviewed and vacated consistent with the new law.

This act shall take effect immediately.

If you have any questions relating to this or other bulletins, please contact a Stewart Title Guaranty Company underwriter.

For on-line viewing of this and other bulletins, please log onto www.vuwriter.com.