The intent of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit proposals from qualified person(s) and/or firm(s) (“Respondent” or “Consultant”) for the provision of legal services as the Public Defender for the Municipality of Princeton (“Municipality”), as more particularly described herein. A qualified Respondent shall possess the professional, financial and administrative capabilities to provide the proposed services, and will agree to work under the compensation terms and conditions determined by the Municipality to provide the greatest benefit to the taxpayers of Princeton. It is estimated that the Municipality of Princeton will handle approximately 25,000 - 27,500 new cases next year. Many of them involve parking violations. Municipal Court typically has three sessions per week, those being Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning, and Tuesday afternoon. There are some weeks when there will be no court. Each court session lasts approximately 3 hours. There is occasionally the need for a special session, which is conducted on Wednesdays or Thursdays. In the last few years there have been between 1-5 special sessions per year. It is estimated that there will be between 120-130 total court sessions for 2026. The Public Defender will be scheduled for 1-2 sessions per week when the court is in session. The successful Respondent must have significant experience in providing legal services as the Public Defender to New Jersey municipalities and/or other New Jersey public entities. The successful Respondent will provide the Municipality with professional legal services as directly relating, but not necessarily limited to: All necessary and desirable legal counsel and advice for the preparation of cases; Preparing for and conducting the defense of such cases except such crimes and offenses as it may be the duty of the County or State official to defend; Attending, scheduling, and conducting such meetings with the Defendants and others, as are necessary for the successful defense of cases; and Any other related duties as maybe required. Respondent must be, and remain at all times during service to the Municipality, a member in good standing of the New Jersey Bar.
