Search Results for: New Jersey Office of the Attorney General
New Jersey AG Investigating Cops After Shootout in Jersey City
Gunfire erupts in Jersey City as officer-involved shooting claims civilian life
Jersey City, NJ
The Attorney General’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting involving law enforcement that occurred early Tuesday morning. An adult male civilian sustained fatal injuries during the exchange of gunfire.
Officers from the Jersey City Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit encountered the civilian in the vicinity of Bergen and Virginia avenues shortly after 1:00 a.m. Gunfire was exchanged and the civilian was struck.
Emergency medical aid was provided at the scene before he was transported to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1:44 a.m. The identities of both the civilian and the involved officer have not been released.
A gun was recovered at the scene. The investigation remains ongoing, and no further details are available at this time.
A law enacted in 2019 mandates that the Attorney General’s Office conduct investigations into any civilian deaths occurring during encounters with law enforcement. This law also requires that findings be presented to a grand jury to determine potential indictments against officers involved.
Trenton attorney general vows to protect New Jersey voters ahead of elections
Trenton attorney general vows to protect New Jersey voters ahead of elections
Trenton, NJ – The Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced measures to ensure a fair election during the upcoming general election. The Department of Law and Public Safety aims to protect the right to vote and assist voters and election officials.
Early in-person voting will begin on Saturday, October 25. Divisions within the Department of Law and Public Safety will focus on maintaining free and fair elections in New Jersey.
Since 2022, the Voter Protection Initiative has addressed issues impacting voting access. The initiative seeks to remedy voting rights violations on Election Day and during early voting, according to New Jersey civil rights laws.
“The success of our democracy depends on elections that remain free and fair,” Platkin stated. He also emphasized the plan to ensure that New Jerseyans can vote without harassment or intimidation.
The Department of Law and Public Safety’s Voting Rights Resources webpage will assist residents with questions about their voting rights. This resource will also guide voters on reporting issues encountered during early voting and on Election Day.
Dedicated attorneys in the Division of Law will provide legal support to county election officials throughout early voting and on Election Day. Their role is to uphold election integrity in accordance with New Jersey’s election laws.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability will monitor allegations of voter intimidation, election fraud, and other violations. They will coordinate with law enforcement as necessary.
Updated Attorney General Guidance on the role of law enforcement in election activities has been issued to law enforcement officials statewide. This guidance clarifies laws protecting voters from harassment.
The guidance highlights that soliciting voters or electioneering within a designated “protective zone” around polling locations is a criminal offense. Under a new 2025 law, the protective zone around polling sites can extend up to 200 feet.
The Division on Civil Rights will have a team available to assist voters who experience discrimination or harassment during the elections. Voters can report issues via phone or through the online portal.
The New Jersey Division of Elections offers a list of county election office contacts and additional election-related information for the public. Voters can call the State’s Voter Information and Assistance line with any concerns about their voting rights.
New AG directive mandates statewide law enforcement preparedness for active shooter
New directive mandates statewide law enforcement preparedness for active violent events
Trenton, NJ – A new directive issued by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin requires all law enforcement agencies in New Jersey to establish active violent event policies. The directive aims to promote uniform preparedness across the state in response to active shooter situations.
Effective immediately, the directive mandates agencies create policies that outline training and response procedures. Agencies must submit their policies to county prosecutor’s offices by January 9, 2026.
Each agency’s active shooter policy must outline priorities such as neutralizing threats and rescuing victims. Policies must also define protocols for on-scene coordination in line with the National Incident Management System.
The directive emphasizes family reunification protocols, including the identification of agencies responsible for coordinating reunification and establishing reunification sites.
All agencies are required to maintain a law enforcement training plan with mandatory active shooter incident management and tactical training courses for officers. County prosecutor’s offices must hold an annual active shooter training exercise involving participation from all relevant law enforcement agencies.
Special attention is placed on preparing responses to incidents in critical locations, including schools and government buildings. Agencies must devise access plans for educational institutions, collaborating with them to address specific resource needs.
The full directive is available online for review.
Nearly Three Dozen Now Lawsuits and Counting: Attorney General Platkin Sues Trump Over Cuts to Solar Programs
Attorney General Platkin files lawsuit against EPA over termination of solar program for low-income households
TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, alongside 22 other plaintiffs, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. This legal action concerns the illegal termination of a $7 billion program designed to provide solar energy to more than 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities across the country.
“The Trump Administration’s anti-environmental agenda is not only extreme and harmful, but also completely lawless,” said Attorney General Platkin. He added that the “President and his appointees cannot simply eliminate Congressionally-authorized programs on a whim.”
The Solar for All program was established by Congress in 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. It directed the EPA to grant competitive funds for deploying solar projects in underprivileged areas. By August 2024, the program’s funding had been fully awarded, with New Jersey and the other plaintiffs proceeding with project planning and stakeholder engagement.
However, in August, the EPA suddenly terminated the program and retracted the majority of the funds that had already been allocated. This decision left the plaintiff states without necessary resources to advance their solar initiatives despite their previous planning and commitments of state funds.
When taking office in January, President Trump focused on fossil fuel extraction while disregarding solar energy. In July, Congress passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” rescinding some funds for the Solar for All program. Although the EPA had previously allocated all project funding, it instead chose to terminate the program unlawfully on August 7.
Platkin and a coalition of states are pursuing legal recourse in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. They allege that the EPA’s actions violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution’s Separation of Powers Doctrine. Simultaneously, New Jersey and additional grant recipients have initiated a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
The complaint in the Federal Claims Court cites a breach of the agreements stemming from the funding cancelation. The plaintiffs seek monetary damages, interest, and fees.
Attorney General Platkin’s action represents a significant effort to uphold legal agreements aimed at providing affordable solar energy in New Jersey and other states impacted by the EPA’s termination of the program.
In a major pushback against federal actions, this lawsuit underscores the ongoing battle for access to clean energy for low-income households.
AG Platkin Says He Will Fight as New Jersey Magazine Ban Faces Biggest Challenge Yet
Attorney General defends New Jersey’s gun laws as court case looms
PHILADELPHIA — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued a statement as oral arguments began at the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit regarding ANJRPC v. Platkin. The Attorney General emphasized the impact of New Jersey’s gun safety laws, stating that they led to record low numbers of shootings in the state over the last two years.
Platkin said, “This significant achievement is under threat by the gun lobby seeking to bolster their profits at the cost of the lives of New Jerseyans.” He noted the commitment of the Murphy Administration to saving lives in New Jersey through various initiatives, including the establishment of the Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement Office.
Today’s hearing will involve defending longstanding restrictions on assault weapons and large capacity magazines, laws that have been in place for 35 years. These laws continue to be positioned as crucial for protecting residents.
According to Platkin, these weapons are poorly suited for civilian self-defense and are instead designed for military combat. He stated that they are disproportionately used in mass shootings nationwide, referencing events such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and the Las Vegas mass shooting.
All Circuits that have reviewed Second Amendment challenges to similar bans post-Bruen have rejected those challenges. Solicitor General Jeremy Feigenbaum is set to represent the state during today’s arguments before the Third Circuit.
The implications of the ruling could influence gun control measures across the United States as New Jersey maintains its stance on gun safety laws.
As the Third Circuit hears these critical arguments, the future of New Jersey’s stringent gun policies hangs in the balance.
New Jersey AG celebrates as court rules against Glock in landmark case
Court rules against Glock in landmark case
TRENTON, NJ – In a recent decision, the New Jersey Superior Court ruled against Glock in a case charging the company with designing and selling firearms that can be converted into illegal machine guns. The court rejected Glock’s motion to dismiss the case, allowing New Jersey to continue its legal efforts to hold the company accountable.
Attorney General Matthew Platkin stated, “Today, we won a major victory in our landmark case against Glock.” He expressed that the court’s ruling reflects their commitment to fighting against the illegal firearm industry and acknowledges the harm their practices inflict on civilians and law enforcement.
The case, initiated in December, highlights concerns over the design of Glock firearms, specifically regarding a plastic component that could facilitate conversion to machine guns. Platkin emphasized, “These lawsuits are a central component of our comprehensive and tireless approach to ending the gun violence epidemic.”
The AG’s office has maintained that the gun company has attempted to evade responsibility for its role in contributing to gun violence. The ongoing lawsuit is part of a broader strategy to address the issue of firearms-related crime in New Jersey. The state has experienced the lowest levels of gun violence in history for three consecutive years.
For further information, the official report can be accessed online. The case continues as New Jersey seeks to hold firearm manufacturers accountable for laws infringed.
This ruling marks a significant milestone in the state’s fight against gun-related issues, aiming for continued legal accountability in the firearms industry.
