CJ Griffin Quoted in New Jersey Monitor Regarding Justice Barry Albin’s Retirement from the New Jersey Supreme Court
CJ Griffin, Director of the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, was quoted in the New Jersey Monitor article, “Impending departure of ‘constitutional giant’ has some wondering about future of N.J. high court.” The article discusses how the imminent retirement of Justice Barry Albin from the New Jersey Supreme Court has some criminal justice reformers anxious about the future.
Albin authored some of the court’s most controversial decisions, such as its recent ruling that freed Sundiata Acoli, a former Black Panther convicted of killing a state trooper in 1973. The decision was lambasted by a bipartisan group of officials that included Murphy.
“His decision in Acoli really demonstrates the commitment to the rule of law, even when it is a very loaded and difficult decision to make,” said attorney CJ Griffin, who has argued several cases before Albin.
“He is deeply committed to justice and has authored dozens and dozens of beautifully written dissents when he’s felt the majority was at odds with the law or the constitution,” Griffin said. “I hope that he’s replaced by someone just as committed to justice and just as passionate about doing the right thing and writing those powerful dissents, which have in some cases later become majority opinions.”
“The justices already work around the clock, so being short three members will be extremely difficult for them, and it also deprives litigants the benefit of seven justices considering their appeals,” Griffin said.
To view the full article, click here.
