Racial Profiling
Being stopped, searched or arrested because of your race violates the Constitution’s promise of equal protection under the law.
Is This You?
Does This Sound Like You?
- You were stopped for a minor reason like an air freshener or tinted windows
- Your car was searched when others were not
- You were treated differently from people of another race in the same situation
What Is Racial Profiling?
Singled Out Because of Race
A study commissioned by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office found that between 2009 and 2021, the percentage of Black and Hispanic motorists stopped by state police increased from 35.34 percent of all motorists stopped by NJSP in 2009 to 46.28 percent in 2021.
Black drivers, in particular, are much more likely to have their vehicles searched – though they are less likely to actually possess evidence.
Racial profiling is one of the civil rights claims Joel Silberman brings against law enforcement, often together with a false arrest or excessive force claim.
How It Happens
What Racial Profiling Looks Like
Pretext Stops
Low-level offenses such as an air freshener hanging from a mirror, tinted windows or a broken taillight used as a reason to stop drivers of color.
Unequal Searches
Black and Hispanic drivers searched more often than white drivers, on less suspicion.
Unequal Treatment
People involved in the same incident treated differently because of their race — one arrested, the other not.
In the News
Racially Disparate Treatment in New Jersey
“Although an investigation is still gathering the facts about this incident, I’m deeply disturbed by what appears to be racially disparate treatment in this video.” – New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy
The video shows police officers in Bridgewater, N.J., responding to a fight at a mall: a Black teen is tackled to the ground and handcuffed, while the Latino teen in the same fight is sat down. Read more in NJ governor ‘deeply disturbed’ by video showing Black teen handcuffed, pinned by police and Racial Bias In NJ Traffic Stops To Be Addressed, Attorney General Says.
Speak With Joel Silberman
Were You Singled Out Because of Your Race?
If you are a victim of racism, contact The Law Offices of Joel Silberman, LLC to get the justice you deserve. Call us at 201-420-1913 or email us at joel@joelsilbermanlaw.com for a free consultation.