Stephen J. Bodnar is a skilled and compassionate criminal defense attorney with more than twenty (20) years' experience practicing criminal law. Prior to joining, he practiced criminal law as a Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor, where he was responsible for handling thousands of cases at all stages of the criminal justice process, from pre-indictment through appeal.
Mr. Bodnar's vast experience, working in the Grand Jury, Trial, and the Motions and Appeals Units, has provided him with extensive knowledge of all phases of criminal practice and procedure. His experience includes trying murder, homicide, felony murder, aggravated sexual assault, robbery, burglary, theft, possession and/or distribution of drugs, and all manner of weapons offenses. For criminal issues on appeal, Mr. Bodnar has appeared and argued multiple times before the Superior Court, Appellate Division.
As a County Prosecutor, Mr. Bodnar oversaw the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office involvement in the New Jersey Superior Court Drug Court Program which has the mission of assisting those with alcohol and drug dependencies to resolve related criminal charges.
Mr. Bodnar also has comprehensive and authoritative knowledge in New Jersey's recent Criminal Justice Reform. Beginning in 2017, New Jersey's criminal justice system transitioned from a bail program to a system of non-monetary pre-trial release. As the Supervisor of the Grand Jury and Screening Unit in the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office, Mr. Bodnar helped develop and implement the county's pre-trial detention policy and procedures.
As a former certified instructor. Mr. Bodnar taught at the Burlington County Police Academy on topics including search and seizure law, Miranda, and various sections of the New Jersey Criminal Code. He also provided instruction and training to seasoned police officers through the Burlington County Law Enforcement Training Center. Upon the implementation of Criminal Justice Reform/Bail Reform in in 2017, Mr. Bodnar conducted training to all the law enforcement agencies in Burlington County. Mr. Bodnar also serves as a presenter and panelist at Continuing Legal Education Courses address addressing issues regarding criminal justice and bail reform to defense and prosecuting attorneys.
Outside of the legal practice, Mr. Bodnar enjoys following minor and major league professional baseball, as well as training for and participating in ultrarunning events. He has finished numerous ultra-distance races, including ten 100-mile finishes.
Rutgers - Camden School of Law, 1991, J.D.
Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), 1984, B.A., Cum Laude
Burlington County Bar Association
