A recent bill signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy eliminates fees for services rendered by the Office of the Public Defender in both the future and retroactively for indigent clients, whether or not they are found guilty.

Murphy called the move "another monumental step" for New Jersey, which he says has "one of the most progressive criminal justice systems in the nation." The bill (A5587/S3771) eliminates fees, liens and warrants issued for public defender services and applies retroactively to all unpaid outstanding costs previously assessed on a defendant. It also clears all unsatisfied civil judgments, liens on property and warrants issued based on the unpaid balances for services rendered by the Office of the Public Defender.