STATE EX REL. A.S.

Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Jay L. Wilensky, Assistant Deputy Public Defender, argued the cause for appellant A.S. (Yvonne Smith Segars, Public Defender, attorney; Mr. Wilensky, of counsel and on the brief).

Eric M. Mark, Assistant Prosecutor, argued the cause for respondent State of New Jersey (Wayne J. Forrest, Somerset County Prosecutor, attorney; Michael McLaughlin, Assistant Prosecutor, on the brief).

Ronald K. Chen, Acting Child Advocate, for amicus curiae Office of the Child Advocate (Joastrid Glading, Assistant Public Advocate, Joseph F. Suozzo, First Assistant Child Advocate, and Christopher G. Jackson, Assistant Child Advocate, on the brief).

Ann Milgram, Attorney General, for amicus curiae Office of the Attorney General (Leslie-Ann M. Justus, Deputy Attorney General, of counsel and on the brief).

Before Judges A.A. RODRÍGUEZ, PAYNE and WAUGH.