N.J. U.S. Attorney Reaches out to LGBT Community
On March 12 I was honored and privileged to attend a sort of an initial “get acquainted” meeting at the United States Attorney’s Office in Newark, New Jersey, with U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul Fishman, a few of his staff people and about 15 LGBT attorneys and activists. As the FBI has done recently, this office is reaching out to its constituent community groups. The meeting lasted about 1½ hours.
U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman
Mr. Fishman talked about his and the U.S. Justice Department’s involvement in LGBT matters, in terms of both criminal and civil law enforcement. Needless to say, we were impressed and thankful that this federal government office has reached out to tell us what they’re doing and seeking input from us in the LGBT community about what is important to us and our clients.
Several of us asked questions or made comments in areas ranging from immigration, hate crimes, training, potential improper targeting of LGBT persons for certain crimes, and how the U.S. Attorney’s office decides which crimes to prosecute or not. An immigration attorney raised questions about inconsistent treatment for LGBT couples at different regional ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) offices. As a result of today’s meeting, they are going to work together to see what the problem is with the goal of making policies more uniform.
There were some questions and comments about the connection between in-school bullying and criminal gang membership. The feds often prosecute the latter.
I asked whether this office has investigated or prosecuted any hate crimes matters pertaining to LGBT victims, and learned that their office had not. I also know that the feds only can prosecute hate crimes cases in a very limited set of circumstances, and I learned today that Mr. Fishman’s office frequently communicates with New Jersey state prosecutors about which venue is the best to prosecute certain crimes. I believe this is why the Essex County (state) prosecutor (and not the feds) prosecuted a murder case against the perpetrators of a murder of a trans woman in Maplewood in 2012.
I also asked about federal officials perceived targeting of gay men for lewdness crimes in Sandy Hook’s (clothing optional) Gunnison Beach. We may be able to arrange a meeting with park rangers there about that.
There also was some discussion about the possibility of providing some Trans 101 education and training to personnel in the U.S. Attorney’s office.
All in all, as a result of this meeting, there seem to be prospects for future communication and cooperation between this local branch of the United States Justice Department and the LGBT Community. Who could have imagined this 10 years ago?
Category: Transgender Community News
About the Author (Author Profile)
Leslie Farber is an attorney at law practicing in Montclair, New Jersey in the areas of personal injury, workers compensation, employment law, LGBT rights, small estate planning, and general litigation. She has spoken often to attorneys and lay persons on LGBT issues and has published articles on the subject. Ms. Farber received her law degree in 1991 from Pace University School of Law where she was an editor of the Pace Law Review. Leslie is a past-chair of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Employment Lawyers - New Jersey (NELA-NJ). She is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the National LGBT Bar Association where she also served as the NLGBTBA liaison to the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession. Outside of the practice of law, Leslie is member of the board of directors of Garden State Equality (a non-partisan LGBT continuing political committee) and is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey.Subscribe
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