New Jersey Statutes Title 40. Municipalities and Counties 40 § 6A-1

a. Whenever a county or municipality is required to pay the costs of the assignment of counsel and other related costs for the defense of an indigent person pursuant to R.3:27-2 of the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey or pursuant to any rule or law subsequently enacted, the amount paid by the county or municipality for the defense of the indigent shall be a lien on any and all property which the defendant shall have or in which he shall acquire an interest. The county or municipal counsel shall effectuate such lien whenever the costs of the defense exceed $150.00. To effectuate the lien, the county or municipal counsel shall file a notice setting forth the amount which was paid for the defense of the indigent with the clerk of the superior court. The filing of said notice with the clerk of the superior court shall from the date thereof constitute a lien on said property for a period of 10 years, unless sooner discharged and except for such time limitations shall have the force and effect of a Judgment at Law. Within 10 days of the filing of the Notice of Lien, the county or municipal counsel shall send by certified mail, or serve personally a copy of such notice with a statement of the date of the filing thereof to or upon the defendant at his last known address.

b. Whenever a county or municipality voluntarily pays the costs of the assignment of counsel or employs or contracts with counsel or pays other related costs for the defense of an indigent person pursuant to R.3:27-2 of the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey or pursuant to any rule or law subsequently enacted, the amount paid by the county or municipality for the defense of the indigent shall be a lien on any and all property which the defendant shall have or in which he shall acquire an interest. To effectuate the lien, the county or municipal counsel shall file a notice setting forth the amount which was paid for the defense of the indigent with the clerk of the superior court. The filing of said notice with the clerk of the superior court shall from the date thereof constitute a lien on said property for a period of 10 years, unless sooner discharged and except for such time limitations shall have the force and effect of a Judgment at Law. Within 10 days of the filing of the Notice of Lien, the county or municipal counsel shall send by certified mail, or serve personally a copy of such notice with a statement of the date of the filing thereof to or upon the defendant at his last known address.