Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Announces Promotions: Key Staff Members Elevated

Kelly Sandler promoted to Supervising Assistant Prosecutor, Tara Wang to Senior Assistant Prosecutor – Ceremony marks a new era for legal excellence and dedication in Morris County.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood celebrated the promotions of Kelly Sandler and Tara Wang on August 1, 2023, recognizing their substantial contributions to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

In a formal ceremony held in the Commissioner’s Public Meeting Room, Kelly Sandler was promoted to Supervising Assistant Prosecutor, while Tara Wang was elevated to Senior Assistant Prosecutor of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

Who and What:
Sandler will supervise the Domestic Violence Unit and Firearms Returns within the Family Division. Wang will continue to be assigned to the Major Crimes and Arson Units within the Tactical Division. Both have played significant roles in successful prosecutions and investigations within the county.

When and Where:
The ceremony took place on August 1, 2023, in the Commissioner’s Public Meeting Room in Morris County.

Why and How:
These promotions reflect the hard work and dedication of both prosecutors, highlighting their achievements within the legal system.

Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Kelly Sandler:
Joining the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2016, SAP Sandler has had a distinguished career, with significant victories in high-profile cases, including the successful prosecution of Kelvin Briggs, Andrew Pena, and Shonette St. Clair. She effectively argued for an 18-year sentence in the homicide prosecution of Edilson Trejo and has received commendations for her work in environmental crimes and sex crimes.

Prior to joining MCPO, Sandler worked for eight years in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, successfully prosecuting the first case charged under the revised Human Trafficking statute. She holds a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Boston University.

Senior Assistant Prosecutor Tara Wang:
Sr. AP Wang began her journey with the MCPO as a legal intern in 2010 and formally joined in 2014. She has been instrumental in several major cases, including the trial of John Formisano, convicted of murder, and the case against Edwin Urbina, who received a life sentence without parole for murdering a three-year-old boy.

Sr. AP Wang has completed advanced trainings such as the Division of Criminal Justice’s Basic Course for Arson Investigators and holds a Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bryn Mawr College.

Prosecutor Carroll, in his announcement, stated, “I am proud to promote these accomplished prosecutors. Kelly and Tara have each distinguished themselves in the courtroom and amongst their colleagues. I anticipate many more successful investigations and trials in cases they are involved in.”

These promotions underline the commitment of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office to uphold justice, recognizing the hard work and skill of two of its outstanding legal minds. It represents a new chapter for the legal system in Morris County, with an unwavering focus on professionalism, integrity, and excellence in the pursuit of justice.