Esther Suarez will step down as Hudson County Prosecutor on August 1, concluding a historic ten-year tenure as the first Hispanic to hold the post, and after leading efforts to modernize the technological capabilities of her office and reduce incidents of violent crime.
“My goal, since day one, was to build an office that can better address the needs of the residents of Hudson County, while also providing law enforcement with the tools necessary to protect and serve,” said Suarez. “It was a great, great, great experience. I love being a public servant and working for the greater good.”
She told the New Jersey Globe that she expects to seek a position outside of government, but hasn’t closed the door to a future return to the public sector.
Attorney General Matt Platkin may designate an acting prosecutor until the governor, either Phil Murphy or his successor, nominates a replacement with sign-off from Hudson County’s three state senators.
As a prosecutor, Suarez built an in-house DNA laboratory that enabled her investigators to work efficiently and eliminate a months-long backlog, along with a state-of-the-art cybersecurity lab to collect and forensically analyze data and digital footprints for complex investigations. Suarez also opened a child advocacy center as a welcoming space for children who were victims or witnesses in investigations involving violent crime.
“Things are moving too fast to move slowly,” Suarez said.
Suarez is also credited with opening the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit, the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force, and the Hudson County Regional S.W.A.T. She joined the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to protect vulnerable youth.
“This is a mere snapshot of the historic investments we have made to build an office equipped for modern-day policing,” she said.
She has championed the establishment of a mental health court and backed criminal justice reform in support of a more equitable judicial system.
During her decade in law enforcement, Suarez made reducing violent crime a top priority in creating safe communities. Hudson became part of the Violent Crime Initiative, which used federal funds to reduce violent crime in Jersey City. The homicide unit under Suarez has achieved a 100% solve rate, surpassing the national average of 58%.
She also increased training for investigators and prosecutors and obtained federal grants to upgrade her office’s infrastructure and software.
Suarez spent five years as a Superior Court Judge before three Democratic state senators from Hudson County agreed upon her as their choice for prosecutor in 2015. She succeeded Guy Gregory, who became acting prosecutor in 2012 after Edward DeFazio stepped down to become a Superior Court Judge.
She is a former Hoboken Corporation Counsel. After the 2020 election, Suarez was considered a leading candidate for U.S. Attorney.
As she prepares to depart the prosecutor’s post, Suarez commended her office, county government, local police departments, and state law enforcement.
“Their passion and commitment to public service were a continued source of personal motivation, and for that, I am tremendously grateful,” stated Suarez. “I leave here filled with gratitude and appreciation for the opportunities that have been presented to me over the past ten years. I thank the residents of Hudson County and the entire staff of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office for trusting me to serve in this position.”
Dennis Miller, the president of the Hudson County Chiefs of Police Association, praised Suarez’s work as a prosecutor.
“Her leadership and willingness to listen was embraced by all of the law enforcement leaders throughout Hudson County, especially during critical incidents. During her tenure, Prosecutor Suarez worked tirelessly to improve law enforcement operations throughout Hudson County, most notably establishing a countywide Regional SWAT Team. Her professionalism and dedication represent some of her most outstanding qualities,” said Miller, the Secaucus police chief. “Her retirement will leave a void in Hudson County, but on behalf of myself and the members Chiefs of Police Association of Hudson County we wish her the best in her retirement.”