Public Defender

Verified

Criminal Defense Lawyer

4.0(41 Google reviews)

236 Main St, Toms River, NJ 08753, United States

Information last updated October 12, 2026

Practice Areas

Immigration Criminal Defense Family Law

About Public Defender

The Office of the Public Defender (OPD) for the State of New Jersey is one of the nation's largest public defense systems, overseeing approximately 1,300 attorneys, investigators, social workers, and professional staff across 66 offices serving all 21 counties. Public Defender Jennifer N. Sellitti leads the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD) and has prioritized modernizing the agency and strengthening client-centered representation. Her administration is advancing a statewide holistic representation model, integrating attorneys, social workers, investigators, and mitigation specialists to address both legal and social factors influencing justice system involvement.

Under current leadership, NJOPD has expanded interdisciplinary representation and established specialized units, including a regionalized Youth Defense practice. The office also provides community-based services through expungement clinics and outreach initiatives to help residents clear records and pursue opportunities. Additionally, NJOPD has focused on technology and operational modernization, including centralized legal research tools and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence. The office strengthens public defense as a constitutional safeguard and a public safety institution, aiming to reduce unnecessary system involvement and mitigate the costs of incarceration.

Practice areas include:

Criminal Defense (Trial)
Office of Law Guardian
Office of Parental Representation
Appellate
Division of Mental Health Advocacy
Recovery Court Unit
Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) Unit
Conviction Integrity Unit
Special Litigation Unit
Parole Revocation Defense Unit (PRDU)
Immigration
Expungements
Forensic Science
Youth Defense
Investigations
Holistic Representation

From the firm’s website

Attorneys: Vita Mennie, Esq. — Deputy Public Defender
Jennifer N. Sellitti — Public Defender
Robyn A. Veasey — First Assistant Public Defender
Traci Telemaque — Assistant Public Defender
Joseph J. Russo — Assistant Public Defender
Alexis Pollock, Esq. — Deputy Public Defender
Tiffany Silver, Esq. — Deputy Public Defender
Lydia Mastandrea, Esq. — Deputy Public Defender
Aleli Crawford, Esq. — Deputy Public Defender
Cecily Velez-Toliver, Esq. — Deputy Public Defender
Kelly Donegan, Esq. — Deputy Public Defender
Guadalupe Casillas, Esq. — Deputy Public Defender
Services listed: Criminal Defense (Trial), Office of Law Guardian, Office of Parental Representation, Appellate, Division of Mental Health Advocacy, Recovery Court Unit, Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) Unit, Conviction Integrity Unit, Special Litigation Unit, Parole Revocation Defense Unit (PRDU), Immigration, Expungements
Offices: 236 Main Street Toms River, NJ 08753
31 Clinton Street, P.O. Box 46003 Newark, NJ 07101
5914 Main Street, Suite 201 Mays Landing, NJ 08330
60 State Street Hackensack, NJ 07601
The Washington House 100 High Street 2nd Floor Mount Holly, NJ 08060

Source: nj.gov · checked October 12, 2026. Lawyers Near Me hasn’t independently verified these details.

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8 am–5 pm
Tuesday: 8 am–5 pm
Wednesday: 8 am–5 pm
Thursday: 8 am–5 pm
Friday: 8 am–5 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Photos

Details & Amenities

Highlights

Appointments recommended

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible car parkWheelchair-accessible entranceWheelchair-accessible toilet

Amenities

Toilet

Public Defender — Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Public Defender located?+

Public Defender is located at 236 Main St, Toms River, NJ 08753, United States. Use the "Get Directions" link on this page to navigate there.

What kind of cases does Public Defender handle?+

Public Defender handles Immigration, Criminal Defense, Family Law. Confirm that they cover your specific legal matter during your first consultation.

How do I contact Public Defender?+

Call Public Defender at +1 732-286-6400 or visit their website. Many firms offer a free or low-cost initial consultation.

Is Public Defender well rated?+

Public Defender has a 4.0-star rating based on 41 Google reviews. Ratings are sourced from Google and shown for reference.

Client Reviews

8 reviews

Dave Stonebraker· via Google
As the Investigator in my grievance against Robert Fuggi, Eugenia Lynch lied, delayed and nefariously omitted evidence from her report to protect Fuggi.
8 years ago
Susan Reed· via Google
Very helpful and professional over the phone with my questions. Went above and beyond in court for me. My lawyer was wonderful!
2 years ago
Jordan Rosado· via Google
My defender has done nothing to help william smith is a hack and puts forth 0 effort for his clients BEWARE william he doesn't defend u at all
4 years ago
Patrick Shields· via Google
New Jersey's office public defenders located in Trenton New Jersey and Ocean township New Jersey they are there for people who cannot afford attorneys and they have individual attorneys for criminal matters family matters and the price is a flat fee of $200 that you pay after your case has gone through now the old average was I'm getting a public pretender and now these are actual lawyers and they do their job and they will fight for you and the time they put in the investigations they put in for you is phenomenal so you're ever in a jam and you don't have the money reach out to the public defender's office and they have what are called pool lawyers which are actual Street lawyers they come in and take your case so don't be afraid to use them thumbs up
4 years ago
Renesme R· via Google
If your talking about Lee Kelsey who is a lawyer for juveniles is fantastic Would recommend her excellence to guide you along your journey of fear and frustration that come along with being a parent. She is., I believe the only juvenile Attorney there. Either way she is famnomial.
7 years ago
Naja Singleton· via Google
I had an amazing public defender for my son. Mrs O 'Donnell!! The staff are very friendly and helpful. Thank you for your services. We are appreciative and grateful.
8 years ago
Brian Callahan· via Google
The Ocean County Public Defender's office are as good as any attorney you could hire. They have a great investigation team that will truly fight for you as well as any of there attorneys. They will not let any innocent man or woman be incarcerated for something they didn't do. This i know first hand.
3 years ago
Luis Rivera· via Google
At first I got a public defender who acted like the prosecutor was his mentor , even breaking bread together at lunch…. Then the situation took a different turn forgive me for not knowing the legal terminology, but then I was appointed Frank McCarthy … What a breath of fresh air… it's nice to feel like your PD truly cares about you … I was not expecting that at all… Frank genuinely wanted to do right by me and everyone I asked said the same thing about him "he's the man" "you're luck to have him" I'm very grateful for his professionalism and his overall demeanor… very comforting in a tough time :.. 5 stars all day !
2 years ago

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