Anti-Latino Discrimination Alleged By South Jersey Judge, AG Investigating

MILLVILLE, NJ — The New Jersey Attorney General's Office has begun investigating allegations of discrimination at the Millville Municipal Court, officials said.

In December, Judge Jason D. Witcher said on court record that the "discriminatory" scheduling at the court singled out Latino defendants to appear in-person, and that court officials were not giving Latino and Spanish-speaking defendants the option to appear virtually. Witcher claimed that Millville court administrators were singling out these people based on their last name.

His comments were reported by the Press of Atlantic City, Vineland Journal, and NJ Advance Media.

On Wednesday, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said his office's Division of Civil Rights will be looking into these allegations.

Platkin's full statement is below:

The Division on Civil Rights is investigating allegations of discrimination involving the Millville Municipal Court. The investigation will also encompass whether any person or entity has engaged in unlawful retaliation in response to those allegations. The Division is committed to conducting a full, fair, and independent investigation, and will not comment further while the investigation remains ongoing.

The state judiciary is investigating Witcher's complaint, and initial findings showed no evidence of anti-Latino bias in scheduling, reported NJ Advance Media.

Witcher is also a municipal judge for the borough of Penns Grove, Carneys Point Township, and the city of Bridgeton.