Middlesex County Holds Ceremonial Swearing-In for Prosecutor Linda Estremera

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MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ - On Friday, February 20, Middlesex County hosted a ceremonial swearing-in for Middlesex County Prosecutor Linda Estremera at Middlesex College. Former Governor Phil Murphy nominated Linda Estremera to serve as the Middlesex County Prosecutor on December 8, 2025, following Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone's retirement at the end of 2025. Prior to her nomination, Estremera had been serving as the deputy first assistant prosecutor for the County. Prosecutor Estremera was officially sworn-in on December 31, 2025, making her the first Hispanic woman to serve as prosecutor in Middlesex County. The ceremonial event also recognized the outstanding service of Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, the first female prosecutor of Middlesex County, with a resolution presented by the Board of County Commissioners.

Superior Court Judge Pedro J. Jimenez administered the ceremonial oath of office as Estremera's husband and daughters held the Bible. The event brought together members of the judiciary, elected officials, law enforcement leaders, community partners, colleagues, friends, and family.

"For more than 25 years, Prosecutor Linda Estremera has been a dedicated and trusted member of the Prosecutor's Office - and more recently, a key leader in our County's efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and advance harm-reduction strategies," said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. "Her experience, integrity, and steady leadership make her exceptionally well prepared to guide this office forward. We are confident that under her direction, the Prosecutor's Office will continue to innovate, strengthen community trust, and ensure fairness and accountability in every case."

"Prosecutor Estremera understands that public safety and public health are deeply interconnected," said Middlesex County Deputy Director Shanti Narra, Chair of the County's Public Safety and Health Committee. "She has been instrumental in advancing collaborative strategies that address substance use, mental health, and violence prevention in our youth while upholding the rule of law. Her leadership will continue to deepen partnerships between law enforcement and the communities we serve."

"It is a tremendous honor to serve as the first Latina Middlesex County Prosecutor," said Middlesex County Prosecutor Linda Estremera. "As an Assistant Prosecutor in this very office for over 25 years, I understand firsthand the deep responsibility we hold to victims, families, and our entire community. I am committed to pursuing justice with compassion and integrity, providing law enforcement with the tools and training they need to keep our residents safe and partnering with our community members to build trust and create a welcoming environment for everyone."

Estremera brings more than two decades of experience to the role. After a brief tenure with the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, she was hired by then-Prosecutor Glen Berman. She began her career with the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office in 2001 as an assistant prosecutor, handling a wide range of criminal cases, including juvenile matters, major crimes, domestic violence, sexual assault, child endangerment, and narcotics. Her performance and leadership earned her promotions to supervisory and executive positions, most recently serving as deputy first assistant prosecutor.

Throughout her career, Estremera has emphasized interagency collaboration and initiatives addressing juvenile justice, addiction, and mental illness. She has worked closely with law enforcement agencies and community partners to strengthen prevention, diversion, and recovery efforts while upholding the rights of both offenders and victims.

As prosecutor, Estremera plans to prioritize prosecuting violent offenders, expanding community outreach and victim advocacy, and promoting diversity within her office and local law enforcement to reflect the County's diverse population.

A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

Former Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone retired on December 31, 2025, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy as the first woman to serve as Middlesex County Prosecutor.

During her tenure, Ciccone guided the office through some of the most challenging periods in recent history and launched initiatives with lasting impact. In 2020, she convened a Youth Mental Health Conference that brought together educators, law enforcement and health professionals to address pandemic-related challenges. She later expanded that work through a Behavioral Health Roundtable focused on opioid addiction and mental health services.

Ciccone also initiated a series of school shooting case studies to train multi-jurisdictional school leaders, law enforcement, security personnel, and emergency coordinators. Under her leadership, the office introduced Blue Cares, a 24/7 drug recovery hotline, and championed programs to improve crisis response and protect vulnerable populations, including Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE), the Public Safety Alliance for Individuals with Disabilities registry, and the Safe Place program to combat bias crimes.

Her tenure was marked by the successful prosecution of complex, high-profile cases and a sustained effort to foster a more compassionate, inclusive justice system rooted in community trust.

For more information about the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, including details on programs and initiatives, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/prosecutor.

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