Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. Featured in New Jersey Law Journal Regarding NJ Ban on Private Detention Centers

Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. was featured in the New Jersey Law Journal in connection with the filing of an amicus brief on behalf of client Pax Christi USA, the Catholic peace movement, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

The amicus brief was filled in CoreCivic, Inc., v. Governor of New Jersey, et. al., which is on appeal from a decision of U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch.  Judge Kirsch found unconstitutional New Jersey Assembly Bill (“AB”) 5207, which prohibits private detention centers from entering into future contracts, thus preventing their operation in the State once their existing contracts expire. Pashman Stein partners David N. Cinotti and Brendan M. Walsh and associate Dominique Kilmartin filed a motion for Pax Christi USA to appear as amicus and a proposed amicus brief in support of the State’s position.

“Pax Christi USA’s position is that New Jersey’s enactment of AB 5207 was a proper exercise of the State’s traditional police powers to protect the health and safety of those whom the federal government chooses to detain in New Jersey under its immigration authority," Cinotti said in a new release on the brief.

CJ Griffin, director of the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center at Pashman Stein, said, “The Stein Center helps our pro bono clients advocate for greater social justice, especially in the criminal justice context.”

“Whether focused on police transparency or advancing the rights of incarcerated persons, we want to help elevate these issues,” Griffin added. “Today’s amicus brief outlines how the lack of accountability and transparency in private prisons leads to a perfect storm of abuse and neglect.”

To read the full article in the New Jersey Law Journal, click here.