CJ Griffin Quoted in Article on Trentonian Suing for Records
CJ Griffin, director of the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C., was quoted in an article in The Trentonian, “As Trentonian Sues for Records, Body Cam, Cousin of Pa. Man Killed by TPD Demands Justice.” The article discusses the need for transparency in police departments. Griffin is representing The Trentonian in obtaining additional information from an April 3rd incident where a Pennsylvania man died in the custody of Trenton Police.
C.J. Griffin, a public records expert and the attorney representing The Trentonian in the lawsuit, said the case illustrates the roadblocks many municipalities still put up in obtaining police records.
“It shouldn’t be this difficult because the Supreme Court said three years ago that we’re entitled to videos and information about them, but we still face serious delays in access, unlawful denials of access, and agencies passing us from one agency to the next to chase the records," Griffin said. "Nothing demands greater transparency than when someone dies in police custody or is killed by the police, but access remains an uphill battle.
“Sadly, we see a lot of politicians who march in Black Lives Matter protests and talk about police reform, but then they pass budgets or support policies that fail to actually protect Black lives or significantly reform the police. Talking the talk is great, but we need them to walk the walk.”
