The state Senate has confirmed Peter E. Warshaw Jr. to be the next Monmouth County prosecutor. Warshaw, who has worked in the prosecutor’s office for more than 25 years, will serve a fiveyear term.
“I am grateful for the Senate’s vote and look forward to starting my duties,” he told Greater Media Newspapers.
Warshaw has been serving as the county’s acting prosecutor since Luis Valentin left the position early in January. He served one five-year term as county prosecutor.
State Sen. Jennifer Beck, state Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and state Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (all R-Monmouth and Mercer) supported Gov. Chris Christie’s nomination of Warshaw for the prosecutor’s position.
“Mr. Warshaw has been with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office for over two decades and knows the issues facing Monmouth County inside and out. The post of county prosecutor is one of vital importance, given that it influences how crimes are prosecuted and what penalties are requested for those found guilty.
“Mr. Warshaw has our trust to perform these duties. He has served Monmouth County admirably as both the director of the Major Crimes Homicide Unit for more than 10 years, and most recently as the first assistant prosecutor.
“Mr. Warshaw’s experience, legal knowledge and personal connection with Monmouth County make him an ideal candidate for this position. We fully support the governor’s choice,” the legislators said in a statement.
According to the Monmouth County Directory, the prosecutor’s office deals with about 15,000 cases annually and employs more than 50 lawyers, 80 detectives and a support staff of more than 150.
As chief law enforcement officer, the prosecutor works closely with municipal, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute crimes committed in Monmouth County.
The prosecutor’s office has many diverse and specialized investigative units that focus on violent crimes, sex crimes, child abuse, official misconduct, public corruption, gangs, and financial and computer crimes.
The prosecutor has the ultimate responsibility for determining which criminal cases should be brought to trial. The prosecutor also supervises all municipal prosecutors, according to the description of the office provided in the county directory.