JERSEY CITY — A 34-year-old defense attorney seeking to become Jersey City's next chief municipal prosecutor is pledging to use his experience across the aisle to help solve longstanding problems.

Jake Hudnut, who sought the Downtown council seat in November, said as prosecutor he would implement some "positive, progressive changes" if he wins council approval for the job, including by protecting tenants who "need a voice" in disputes with landlords and by advocating for the court to put less of a focus on generating revenue.

"Prosecutor's offices don't just prosecute," Hudnut said in a Tuesday interview at City Hall. "They also can help people, strengthen the community bonds and solve problems. And that's what I intend to do."

Hudnut is expected to start his new job in July. He will replace Armando Molina, who is slated to become a municipal judge. Molina's salary was about $60,000. Hudnut's salary will be $95,000.

A Downtown Jersey City resident, Hudnut said he views his appointment as part of an "exciting" nationwide trend of prosecutors using their positions to reform the criminal justice system. During Tuesday's interview, he cited Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and Brooklyn D.A. Eric Gonzalez, both of whom have deprioritized marijuana arrests.

Mayor Steve Fulop said on Twitter in May that his administration has scaled back pot arrests, citing 30 arrests in the previous six months (city spokeswoman said she could not provide figures on how many people the city arrested for pot in the six-month period prior to that).

Fulop and Hudnut said Tuesday they would go into more detail in upcoming weeks about planned changes to the prosecutor's office.

"I had expressed to the mayor my beliefs that some changes in the Jersey City prosecutor's office could not only strengthen the ties between the community and the police and the city but also save municipal resources," Hudnut said. "I'm excited that the mayor was open to that vision and I look forward to implementing it."

Hudnut was one of Fulop's sharpest critics when he sought the Ward E council seat last year on a ticket headed by Fulop rival Bill Matsikoudis. During one debate, he said Fulop's thoughts on New Jersey's move away from the cash-bail system represented a "dangerous mindset."

Asked about this on Wednesday, Hudnut said, "This year the mayor and I discussed many of the issues raised during the 2017 campaign and it became apparent we agree on fundamental and progressive reforms needed in the criminal justice system. I am grateful he has given me the chance to lend my voice to the city's position on criminal justice going forward and that he is supportive of the reform we need to have the best and fairest local prosecutor's office in the state."

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.