Following Governor Phil Murphy’s nomination of Matthew J. Platkin as New Jersey’s next attorney general, Amol Sinha, Executive Director of the ACLU of New Jersey, issued the following statement:
“The ACLU-NJ looks forward to working with Matt Platkin in the state’s top law enforcement position, and to collaborating on the advancement of policies that further the civil rights, civil liberties, safety, and freedom of all New Jerseyans. As always, we will fulfill our duty as advocates to hold the attorney general accountable to their pledge to defend the state Constitution.
“The next attorney general can continue to position New Jersey as national civil rights leader by using the great powers of the office to advance principles of justice. The decisions of the attorney general have an impact on critical issues like whether people live their lives in cages or in freedom, whether police officers face meaningful accountability, and whether immigrants feel forced into the shadows or free to participate in civic life, among countless others. We will work to ensure the office uses the full force of its powers to make New Jersey fairer and more just, and we look forward to working with prospective Attorney General Platkin to create a New Jersey where people can live their lives more freely.
“We have had a productive working relationship with Acting Attorney General Andrew Bruck – sometimes as allies, sometimes as adversaries, but always with mutual respect and appreciation – and we wish him well in his next endeavor. We have also shared a productive relationship with Mr. Platkin during his time as Governor Murphy’s Chief Counsel and are confident that under his leadership, the Office of the Attorney General will continue to build on the work of jury reform, sentencing reform, advancement of immigrants’ rights, and the expansion of police accountability.”
