Millville Municipal Court Judge Jason Witcher, who claimed discrimination against Latino defendants in his courtroom, has now filed a lawsuit in Superior Court against the state and the Administrative Office of the Courts, alleging retaliation and failure to accommodate under the Law Against Discrimination, and constructive discharge.

In December 2022, Witcher alleged that a disproportionate number of Latino defendants were required to appear for court in person, while others were allowed to appear virtually. According to a January statement by Peter McAleer, the director of communications and community relations at Administrative Office of the Courts, the judiciary first learned of Witcher’s allegations through an outside agency on Dec. 6 and that the judiciary immediately began a comprehensive investigation to determine whether the allegations were true.