ACLU likes Platkin, but won’t hesitate to criticize him as AG

The leader of the New Jersey office of the American Civil Liberties Union said they were ready to work with Matt Platkin as the state’s next attorney general.

“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,” said Amol Sinha, the executive director of the ACLU-NJ.  “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.”

Sinha said that his group has “shared a productive relationship” with Platkin when he served as Murphy’s chief counsel from 2018 to 2020.

“(We) 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,” Sinha stated.  “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”

But Sinha said he won’t hesitate to hold Platkin’s feet to the fire.

“As always, we will fulfill our duty as advocates to hold the attorney general accountable to their pledge to defend the state Constitution,” he said.  “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.”

Sinha also praised acting Attorney General Andrew Bruck for his service since July, when Gurbir Grewal resigned to join the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission staff.

“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,” Sinha said.