About Us
The Assistant Prosecutors’ Association of New Jersey (APANJ) is a professional association of assistant county prosecutors and deputy attorneys general employed throughout the twenty-one county prosecutors’ offices and the Division of Criminal Justice-Office of the Attorney General. Nearly 1000 members strong, New Jersey’s assistant prosecutors are dedicated to public service and prosecute every indictable criminal case in the state. Serving their interest, the APANJ is led by an Executive Board comprised of a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, and a seven-member Board of Trustees, all of whom are elected by the membership.
Established in 1973 by a group of assistant prosecutors from across the state, the APANJ is dedicated to the ideal that career assistant prosecutors are necessary and integral to effective law enforcement in New Jersey. For nearly fifty years, the APANJ has advocated on behalf of all assistant prosecutors and serves as a constant resource to its members, lawmakers, and policy-makers alike. Through advocacy, policy development, legislative action, and education ~ the APANJ is the voice for all of New Jersey’s assistant county prosecutors.
The APANJ regularly meets and discusses issues that impact the membership. The association sponsors periodic continuing legal education and professional training for its members. Every year, the APANJ gathers at the annual County Prosecutors’ College in Atlantic City. In November 2019, the APANJ hosted its first-annual social event at the CPANJ College. Beginning with the 2020 virtual convention, the APANJ has hosted a “Double Jeopardy” style competition for all county prosecutors’ offices to connect and foster teamwork. The APANJ looks to engage with its membership at the 2023 in-person convention in November. Come see what’s new with APANJ!
The APANJ is a voluntary, not-for-profit, equal opportunity organization, incorporated in 1996.
For more information about the APANJ or if you have a policy-related question, contact us.
History
In the early 1970s county prosecutor offices across the state experienced dramatic changes. The position of County Prosecutor, including Assistant Prosecutor, converted from part-time positions to full-time positions statewide. As a result, part-time assistant prosecutors were required to forego their legal practices in order to serve full-time. However, a growing number of full-time assistant prosecutors were still subjected to removal when a new County Prosecutor was appointed and exercised his prerogative to replace them with his own assistant prosecutors. In an effort to stem the tide of the frequent turnover with changing administrations, several veteran assistant prosecutors from around the state organized what would later become known as the Assistant Prosecutors’ Association of New Jersey (APANJ).
In 1973, the APANJ successfully garnered support from several state legislators to draft the state’s first “tenure” bill for assistant prosecutors. Despite their five-year campaign, the tenure bill failed to become law. However, their efforts were not in vain, as newly appointed County Prosecutors soon recognized the value of retaining experienced and effective full-time assistant prosecutors to carry-out their vision for their offices.
In the years that followed the tenure bill campaign, the APANJ achieved other successes along the way, which improved the careers of assistant prosecutors. The APANJ was incorporated in 1996. Today, the APANJ continues to advocate on behalf of its members. The APANJ reviews all legislation that affects assistant prosecutors and works with lawmakers to improve their impact.
For nearly fifty years now, the APANJ has grown in numbers and in influence throughout the legal community and in Trenton. Year after year, the leaders of the APANJ work collaboratively, promoting the work that assistant prosecutors do statewide
Today, with nearly 1000 members among its ranks, the APANJ is the voice of New Jersey’s assistant prosecutors and stands ready to meet the challenges they face.
Mission Statement
Sequens Iustitia, or Pursuing Justice,
is the motto of the APANJ. It encapsulates the duty and oath that every assistant prosecutor takes when they begin their careers. Each and every day across the state, assistant county prosecutors are pursuing justice; they are on the front lines in our criminal courts, working alongside their partners in law enforcement, protecting communities from criminal offenders, and promoting the safety and welfare of the citizens of New Jersey.
The mission of the APANJ is to advocate for the interests of New Jersey’s assistant county prosecutors; to promote the ideals and benefits of fostering career assistant prosecutors in every office across the state; and to promote and recognize the tremendous value assistant prosecutors provide the citizens of New Jersey. Through legislative engagement and action, policy development, education, and advocacy, the APANJ is committed to protecting and improving the lives and careers of New Jersey’s assistant prosecutors.
Executive Board
The APANJ is led by an Executive Board (president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer) elected by the membership according to the association’s bylaws. Together they oversee the day-to-day operation of the association, develop programing, and carryout the core functions of the APANJ. The Executive Board meets regularly throughout the year to carry-out its agenda and discuss issues impacting the membership.
Board of Trustees
The APANJ is also led by a voluntary group of seven Trustees from around the state who are elected by the membership according to the association’s bylaws. Trustees serve on various committees of the association and carry out its goals and mission. The Trustees regularly meet with the Executive Board to discuss issues impacting the membership and plan events that support the membership. Trustees also vote on the decisions of the Executive Board and carry out the agenda of the association.