Public Defender, Prosecutor Appointed To Serve In Basking Ridge Shared Courts

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A public defender and municipal prosecutor were both appointed to head up the court system shared by Bernards Township, Bedminster, Peapack Gladstone, and Bernardsville.

Bernards Township Committee unanimously appointed Scott C. Mitzner, of the Firm Mitzner & Mitzner, to serve as public defender and Stephen O. Davis, of the firm DiFrancesco Bateman, Kunzman, Davis, Lehrer & Flaum to serve as municipal prosecutor.

Prior to the appointments, resident Paul Giangreco expressed concerns over Mitzner due to the appearance of impropriety by the township committee.

Giangreco noted that Mitzner currently serves as Chair of the Bernards Township Republic Party. He questioned whether Mitzner's appointment is a "quid pro quo."

"There should be no hint of favoritism," said Giangreco who asked the committee to reject the appointment.

Deputy Mayor Andrew McNally, Mayor James Baldassare Jr. and Township Attorney John Belardo all disagreed with Giangreco noting that Mitzner was a highly qualified candidate.

"I don't have any qualms approving the resolution tonight," said McNally about appointing Mitzner. "I think this appointee serves a number of municipalities and I've known him to serve with distinction. Whatever civic engagement he chooses to do does not preclude other services as a public defender."

Baldassare Jr. echoed McNally's sentiments adding "I don't see anything wrong with this."

Belardo noted there was no legal impediment by the township committee in appointing Mitzner.

"I've known [Mitzner] for over 20 years as a lawyer. And as McNally said he is a well-respected criminal defense lawyer and has served over many, many municipalities, aid Belardo.

Bernards Township previously passed a resolution in June 2020 to have a shared court with neighboring towns Bedminster, Peapack Gladstone, and Bernardsville. Read More: Basking Ridge To Share Court With Neighboring Towns

At the time Baldassare Jr. said this agreement would save the Township between $90,000 to $120,000 per year.

As part of the shared services agreement, Bedminster's court at 45 Miller Lane serves as the host location for court for Basking Ridge, Bernardsville and Peapack Gladstone. And all towns share Bedminster's court facilities and court staff including the applicable municipal judge, court administrators, other court employees, prosecutors, public defenders and security personnel.

The new agreement is in place through Dec. 31, 2022.

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