TRENTON – Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino today announced the appointment of Robert D. Laurino as Acting Essex County Prosecutor.

Laurino was sworn into office this morning, June 20. He replaces Carolyn Murray, who has served as Acting County Prosecutor since February 2011. She was nominated by Governor Chris Christie as a Superior County judge in May and was confirmed by the Senate yesterday, June 19. Laurino previously served as Acting Essex County Prosecutor from January 2010 to February 2011.    

“I am confident that Bob Laurino will serve as an outstanding prosecutor for the citizens of Essex County,” said Governor Chris Christie. “As Acting First Assistant County Prosecutor, and as a former Acting County Prosecutor, Bob has served with dedication and distinction. I thank him for stepping in again to serve in this role.”

“As Acting Essex County Prosecutor, Bob Laurino will oversee an extremely busy office,” said Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino. “He has an outstanding track record of leadership and a wealth of experience that will enable him to effectively oversee prosecution of the most challenging cases, ensure that victims are treated with compassion, and engage the community to support an environment of safety.”

“I want to thank the Governor and Attorney General for the confidence they placed in me by allowing me to serve as Acting Essex County Prosecutor. It has been a honor to have worked beside former Acting Prosecutor Carolyn Murray over the past six years, and I know that she will be an outstanding jurist,” said Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino. “I look forward to continuing to serve all the people of Essex County through the administration of fair and impartial justice, and to assist those individuals who were the unfortunate victims of crime in rebuilding their lives.”
Laurino has been a member of the Essex County Prosecutors Office since 1980, where he most recently served as the Acting First Assistant Prosecutor. He has served in every administrative position within the Office, from general trial attorney to Acting Essex County Prosecutor. He has completed over 100 jury trials, and handled thousands of cases involving sexual violence.  

Mr. Laurino has served as a faculty member for the National District Attorneys Association, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Advocacy Institute, the New York Prosecutors Training Institute, and AEquitas: The Prosecutors’ Resource on Violence Against Women, where he has taught trial advocacy courses on matters concerning sexual assault, ethics, and DNA evidence. He is also a frequent lecturer for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education on criminal law matters. Mr. Laurino has published and continues to lecture nationally on issues involving sexual violence, forensic evidence, attorney ethics, and the abuse of individuals with disabilities.

A cum laude graduate of Villanova University, Mr. Laurino received a master’s degree from Rutgers University. Mr. Laurino graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was an editor of the law review. He is a member of the bar of New Jersey and New York, and is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

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