Larry Ashbridge Named Director of Office of Probation Services

Larry Ashbridge has been named director of the Office of Probation Services in the Administrative Office of the Courts, Judge Michael J. Blee, acting administrative director of the courts, announced today.

Ashbridge, who served as assistant director of Probation Services, succeeds Brenda Beacham, who retired after 31 years with the Judiciary, the last two years as the head of the office.

In his new role, Ashbridge will lead an office of more than 1,600 employees who supervise more than 420,000 probationers by monitoring and enforcing court orders; collecting fines, restitutions, and child support; and supervising the probation terms of adults and juveniles.

“Larry helped lead the probation team when it strengthened its commitment to working even more closely with clients toward completion of their probation term. His depth of knowledge will be invaluable to the Judiciary as it continues to strategically address the needs of probationers and support their successful reintegration into society,” Judge Blee said. 

Ashbridge served as assistant director of the Office of Probation Services for the past two years and spent the previous four years as chief of the Judiciary’s Child Support Enforcement Unit. He began his career with the Judiciary in 2010 as a probation officer in Bridgeton, Cumberland County, and later served as a court services supervisor and assistant chief probation officer in the Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem Vicinage.

“I am truly honored and humbled to accept the position of director of Probation Services. I want to thank Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and Administrative Director Blee for entrusting me with this responsibility, and I look forward to working under their leadership. I am very excited to embark on this new journey, while continuing to serve the people of New Jersey,” Ashbridge said.

Ashbridge is a graduate of West Virginia University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in criminology and investigations.