Take That, Chief Justice Roberts

The New Jersey Appellate Division has held that a corporation convicted at trial and declared indigent by the trial judge is not entitled to a public defender on appeal at public expense.

Western World, Inc. was indicted for crimes arising from a shooting during a reenactment of a gunfight at Wild West City. The corporation was represented at trial by private counsel, who negotiated a plea deal.

The plea deal preserved an appeal issue.

The Office of the Public Defender noted the appeal but sought to be relieved, citing its limited resources.

The defendant had opposed the motion.

The court did reaffirm a corporation’s right to be represented by counsel under federal and New Jersey law. (Mike Frisch)