02/12/2026
Appellate wins matter, especially when they protect fairness and second chances.
Last week, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court issued an opinion affirming a trial court’s decision granting my client entry into the Pretrial Intervention (PTI) Program. In its decision, the Appellate Division found that the State’s attempt to condition PTI admission on the forfeiture of public employment constituted a gross abuse of discretion, criticizing a punitive, categorical approach rather than an individualized assessment of rehabilitation and mitigating factors. In doing so, the Appellate Division reaffirmed an essential principle of PTI: It exists to offer deserving individuals a meaningful second chance without the lifelong consequences of a criminal conviction. Hopefully, this decision will encourage prosecutors to move away from “one-size-fits-all” conditions and to carefully weigh the unique circumstances of each applicant, particularly where professional licensure or public employment is at stake. If you or someone you know is a facing a criminal charge for the first time, give me a call at 856-428-6600 to discuss whether PTI is an option for you, or email me at [email protected]
Read the full opinion here:
https://www.njcourts.gov/system/files/court-opinions/2026/a3333-24.pdf