NJ attorney general files civil rights complaint against Millville over alleged discrimination against Hispanic, Latinx groups
Attorney General Matt Platkin says New Jersey is committed to eliminating discrimination, no matter where it occurs.
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A city in South Jersey is accused of discriminating against Hispanic and Latinx groups "based on their actual or perceived national origin."
New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin filed a civil rights complaint against the city of Millville following a monthlong investigation conducted by DCR.
The investigation was initiated after Municipal Court Judge Jason Witcher made public allegations of discrimination in the Millville Municipal Court in December 2022.
The complaint claims that between June 2022 and December 2022, the Millville Municipal Court required anyone who spoke Spanish to appear in-person instead of allowing virtual sessions. The court denies the allegations.
The complaint says defendants with “Hispanic surnames were almost twice as likely as defendants with non-Hispanic surnames to be scheduled for an in-person court appearance.”
"New Jersey's laws forbid discrimination on the basis of national origin. That anyone in the City of Millville had to face discrimination from any public entity is disappointing, disheartening, and unacceptable," Platkin said in a statement. "Such practices only serve to erode the public's trust. New Jersey is committed to eliminating discrimination, no matter where it occurs."
