Adult Court Section

As with most law enforcement agencies, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office relies on a dedicated support staff to facilitate key functions such as case investigation and legal processing.

Detectives and investigative aides provide ongoing evidence management and case development, along with investigative support for case matters handled by the Adult Trial Unit and the Juvenile Trial Unit (i.e., cases where criminal charges have been filed but are not assigned to specialized units).

This staff is responsible for locating and managing witnesses, obtaining documents and photographs, ensuring proper service of legal notices, and maintaining the proper chain of custody for evidence, conducting factual research, and working closely with assistant prosecutors assigned to each case.

Extradition

Extradition is the process by which one government jurisdiction surrenders an individual found within its territory to another jurisdiction where the individual is wanted to stand trial for an alleged offense or to serve a sentence already imposed.

Extradition is strictly regulated by state and federal law, interstate compacts, and international treaties. Within the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, extradition matters are handled by assistant prosecutors assigned to relevant cases, with a county investigator facilitating the overall process. Key functions include preparing requests for Governor’s Warrants, completing Interstate Compact forms, executing of waivers of extradition, arranging of habeas corpus hearings, coordinating the arraignment of fugitives, executing required documentation, and conducting necessary reporting and evaluation.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office executes hundreds of interstate extradition requests each year involving individuals incarcerated in other jurisdictions who are facing charges in Essex County. Following adjudication in Essex County, individuals are typically returned to the originating jurisdiction to complete their existing sentence and may later be returned to Essex County to serve any additional sentence imposed. The Office also conducts regular a one-way extradition from outside jurisdictions into Essex County, following a hearing decision or waiver. The Office coordinates its extradition activity with various statewide and federal task forces addressing specific criminal activity including narcotics trafficking, and organized crime.

Parole Notification

In August of 2000, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office created a formal system to advise the New Jersey State Parole Board of its position on the release of parole-eligible inmates. As inmates become eligible for release, input regarding the appropriateness of the parole release is requested from the assistant prosecutor who handled the case.

In any given week, Essex County has the highest number of parole-eligible inmates among the states 21 counties.