# N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-1: Declaration of state policy

> New Jersey · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-1

## Section

- **Citation:** N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-1
- **Heading:** Declaration of state policy
- **Jurisdiction:** New Jersey
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** NJ Code / Title 2A / Chapter 158A / Section 158A-1

## Text

It is hereby declared to be the policy of this State to provide for the realization of the constitutional guarantees of counsel in criminal cases for indigent defendants by means of the system and program established and authorized by this act to the end that no innocent person shall be convicted, and that the guilty, when convicted, shall be convicted only after a fair trial according to the due process of the law. L.1967, c. 43, s. 1, eff. July 1, 1967.

## Nearby sections

- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-1 Declaration of state policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-1.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-2 "Indigent defendant" defined](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-3 Establishment of the Office of the Public Defender.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-4 Public defender; appointment; term; salary; vacancy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-4.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-5 Duties of public defender.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-5.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-5.2 Offenses and violations; legal representation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-5.2.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-5.3 Office of the Public Defender, unit established, representation, parole revocation, violation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-5.3.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-6 Deputy and assistant public defenders; appointment; salary](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-6.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-7 Powers, responsibilities of public defender](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-7.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-8 Lawyers to represent defendants on case basis; selection](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-8.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-9 Case workload; division; employment of counsel](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-9.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-10 Contracts authorizing private or public organizations to execute functions of public defender](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-10.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-11 Duties of staff members and others engaged on case basis](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-11.md)
- [N.J. Stat. § 2A:158A-12 Attorney-client privilege](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-12.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_NJ_T2A_C158A_S158A-1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.