MORRISTOWN, N.J. (Morris County) — Morris County First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood has retired following a 31-year career as an assistant prosecutor, including 28 years with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and Chief of Detectives Mark Castellano honored Calderwood during a walkout ceremony Sept. 30.
During the ceremony, Calderwood received plaques from state Sen. Anthony Bucco, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon and the executive leadership of the Morris County Police Chiefs Association recognizing her years of service and dedication to Morris County. Morris County Commissioner Stephen Shaw also presented her with a proclamation issued by the county Board of Commissioners.
Calderwood had served as first assistant prosecutor since Jan. 4, 2021. She has been recognized as a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court since 2011.
During her career, Calderwood supervised the Major Crimes, Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment, Domestic Violence, General Investigations, Pretrial Services and Professional Standards units. She also served as executive assistant prosecutor for five years, managing the office’s legal staff.
Calderwood handled numerous complex jury trials involving murder, aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide, as well as aggravated sexual assault cases involving adult and child victims. She also lectured on legal and law enforcement topics throughout her career.
In May 2019, Calderwood was honored by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Morris/Sussex Vicinage, and the Morris/Sussex County Bar Association for her contributions to the justice system as part of the “Women Pioneers in the Law” exhibit.
She has served as co-chair of the Morris County Bar Association’s Criminal Practice Committee since January 2020. In June 2022, the association presented her with its Criminal Practice Award for professionalism and dedication to the field.
In November 2024, Calderwood received the “Outstanding Advocacy Over a Career” award from the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey at the annual Prosecutors College in Atlantic City.
Before joining the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 1997, Calderwood began her prosecutorial career with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office in 1994, where she represented the state in numerous jury trials.
Calderwood earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Moravian College in 1988 and a law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1992. After law school, she served as judicial law clerk to Superior Court Judge Stephen F. Smith, then the presiding criminal judge in Morris County.
Prosecutor Carroll commented, “I congratulate MCPO First Assistant Maggie Calderwood on an outstanding career as a prosecutor. I believe her career serves as a model for how a legal professional should practice criminal law. FAP Calderwood’s skills, experience, reputation for integrity, common sense, and legal knowledge made her a simply invaluable and most-effective leader in Morris County law enforcement. FAP Calderwood has the respect and admiration of the MCPO staff, the defense bar, the Judiciary, as well as every police department in Morris County, a tremendous achievement by any measure. On a personal level, I wish to thank FAP Calderwood for serving as my First Assistant, and for her sage advice and dedication during my administration over the last six years. FAP Calderwood’s legacy of professionalism will live on in the 200-plus year history of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.”
