SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — The New Jersey Office of Attorney General is suing the city of Millville over alleged discrimination of Hispanic or Latinx defendants in municipal court.
The office’s Division of Civil Rights filed suit in response to claims that people with Hispanic names were required to appear in person for court rather than virtual hearings in 2022.
The issue was first raised by Judge Jason Witcher. He found that those with Hispanic names were about twice as likely to be required to appear in person than people with other names, which required them to take extra time off work and arrange for child care.
Attorney General Matt Platkin said this is a violation of state law and such practices erode public trust.