From Federal Prosecutor of the Year to Your Defender: Kurt Perhach on Criminal Law

A Commitment to Justice

Criminal law is the backbone of a just society — the mechanism by which we hold wrongdoers accountable and protect the innocent. For over two decades, Kurt Perhach has stood on both sides of the courtroom, bringing more than 60 trials of experience to every matter he takes on. As a former Federal Prosecutor and now a dedicated defense attorney, Kurt understands criminal law from every angle.

Federal Prosecutor of the Year

In 2015, Kurt was honored by the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation as Federal Prosecutor of the Year for the State of New Jersey** — a recognition rooted in one of the most challenging cases of his career.

The award stemmed from Kurt's work as a prosecutor at Picatinny Arsenal, where he and FBI Special Agent Todd Bina spent more than five years conducting a detailed investigation into allegations that former Army Major John Jackson and his wife, Carolyn, had assaulted their adopted children. The investigation involved reviewing extensive medical records and interviewing dozens of medical and social service professionals who had interacted with the victims.

On July 8, 2015, John and Carolyn Jackson were convicted of 10 and 12 felony counts respectively — including conspiracy, assault, and child endangerment — all occurring on Picatinny Arsenal over the course of two and a half years.

The Case

The Jackson prosecution was anything but straightforward. After the first trial began in October 2014, the judge declared a mistrial following an accidental disclosure to jurors. Kurt and his investigative team refused to give up. They re-prepared emotionally distraught witnesses for retrial, and in July 2015 secured convictions on 22 total felony counts.

Earlier that same year, Kurt also conducted the military separation proceeding that removed Jackson from the military with the worst type of administrative discharge possible.

What the Honor Means

Kurt's efforts on the Jackson case, combined with his broader responsibilities at Picatinny Arsenal, also led to his nomination as the 2015 Army Materiel Command Attorney of the Year.

Reflecting on the case, Kurt observed:

“Sometimes people are capable of horrific acts. But for the most part in our great system, justice prevails. A case like this not only makes you look at your own children differently, but it makes you look at every child differently, knowing that some people out there are capable of hurting an innocent child. I only pray that the deprived youthful innocence of the Jackson children has not forever marred them.”

He also emphasized the collaborative nature of complex criminal prosecution:

“Complex legal cases like these do not happen without a collaborative effort... The prosecutor is just one part of the spear of justice and, without all of the investigative efforts of teammates, criminal prosecutions could never be successful.”

From Prosecutor to Defender

Kurt's experience as a decorated federal prosecutor shapes the way he now approaches criminal defense. He knows how the government builds a case — because he built them. That insider perspective allows him to identify weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence, anticipate their strategy, and mount the strongest possible defense for his clients.

Whether you are facing charges or seeking experienced counsel, Kurt brings the same dedication, rigor, and courtroom command that earned him recognition as one of New Jersey's top federal prosecutors.

Media Coverage

Read the original Army.mil coverage of Kurt's Federal Prosecutor of the Year award: Picatinny Attorney named Federal Prosecutor of the Year for Jackson case →