- Date Of Birth: March 3, 1947
- Date Of Death: December 12, 2015
- State: New Jersey
Caroline L. Meuly, Esq., died at home on Saturday, December 12, following a long illness.
She was the daughter of Dr. Walter C. Meuly, Historian, Philanthropist and Conservationist and Julia M. Meuly, Musician and Artist. Her husband, Morris Bruce (Marc) Leavitt, pre-deceased her. She is survived by their son, Jeremy Leavitt, of Highland Park.
As a lifelong resident of Piscataway and of her family’s circa 1750 home, Caroline has, through a generous and thoughtful donation, made it possible for future generations to enjoy access to this significant piece of history. The future Onderdonck-Meuly Museum and gardens will be open to the public for visits, as well as for educational and cultural events.
Caroline spent thirty-five years as an Assistant Prosecutor for Middlesex County and was the second woman ever appointed to that position. She headed many sections including the Juvenile Unit, Pre-Trial Unit, Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit, Bias/Community Relations Unit and ultimately helped launch Drug Court which finally opened in Middlesex County in 2004. Caroline remained the Drug Court Prosecutor actively pushing for Drug Court expansion until her retirement in 2010. She authored a manual for school personnel on education/criminal justice issues and personally met with teachers and administrators from every Middle and High School in the County. She also co-chaired the Middlesex County School Violence Task Force formed in response to the Columbine shootings. The Task Force promulgated a three-part manual for school personnel and law enforcement officers detailing prevention efforts, disaster response and aftermath planning.
Caroline taught at the Police Academy and designed and headed the Youth Development Academy, a weekend “boot camp” program for juvenile offenders on probation which consisted of discipline, education, motivation and self-esteem building. This resulted in saving countless juveniles from becoming adult offenders.
Caroline’s determination to help reform the criminal justice system, especially for non-violent, substance abuse defendants, led her to become involved with A.S.A.P. (Adult Substance Abuse Program) upon her retirement from the Prosecutor’s Office, first as Executive Director, then on the Advisory Board and member of the Board of Trustees. She had met with many A.S.A.P. clients through her work as the prosecutor in Drug Court. She most recently became a per diem Public Defender working exclusively with Drug Court. As an active member of the Drug Court team, she appeared in Drug Court weekly, handled applications, appeals and court related appearances for clients until her failing health necessitated her resignation just a short while ago. Helping clients succeed in Drug Court and achieve recovery was her passion. Her polished legal abilities and compassion allowed her to help many clients.
Caroline was a member of the New Jersey Bar, US District Court, NJ and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to her legal interests, she was a committed environmentalist, organic gardener, historic preservation activist, Board member of the Metlar-Bodine Museum, and animal rights proponent. She was a volunteer member of the Board of the Zimmerli Art Museum, president of the Board of Middlesex County Child Assault Prevention (C.A.P), long-time Board member of Rutgers Preparatory School (her alma mater) and two-time president of the New Brunswick Rotary Club (she was the first female president).
Caroline’s legal prowess, compassion, drive, and stylish specter will be missed.
She graduated from Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin and received her Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law.
