CJ Griffin Represents USA Today in Appellate Win Strengthening Police Body-Worn Camera Transparency
CJ Griffin, partner and director of the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C., recently represented USA Today Co. in a significant New Jersey Appellate Division win regarding the public nature of police body cam footage. The body cam footage related to allegations that a mayor had made inflammatory remarks during a meeting with police officers. The trial court held the video was not a “government record” that was subject to the Open Public Records Act because the officers failed to verbally tell the Mayor that their cameras were recording. The Appellate Division reversed and has ordered the Prosecutor’s Office to release the video with “discrete redactions.”
“Today’s decision is a win for transparency. It will make the public more informed and make it easier for the press to do their jobs,” said Griffin. “The Legislature enacted the Body Camera Law precisely so the public can see and hear the truth of what happened when allegations of misconduct are made. Taxpayers have paid tens of millions of dollars to equip every officer in this state with cameras. When videos are withheld, it defeats the very purpose of the cameras.”
To read more about the case, click here.
To read the decision, click here.
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