State v. Soto et.al.
Journey of a Racial Profiling Landmark Case
New Jersey vs Soto et.al. 1996
Public Defenders, alleging discriminatory enforcement by the New Jersey State Police patrolling the New Jersey Turnpike, bring motion to suppress drug evidence against 17 defendants of African descent.
Hearing took 1 day a week for 6 months
Evidence included that black people were 4.86 more likely to be stopped that were non-black people
Decision by Judge Robert E. Francis in favor of defendants, 1996
New Jersey Attorney General announces appeal
1999: NJ Attorney General and Governor announce abandonment of appeal, as they had done their own study confirming evidence in Soto
1999: Judge Francis removed as Chancery Judge [1]
“In 2005 New Jersey became the first state in America to prohibit racial profiling" [1]
More distance to cover before Racial Equity is achieved: In 2005 data, black people are 2.07 times more likely to be stopped on the New Jersey Turnpike than are non-black people [2]
References:
1. Callum, J. (2010) The Black Dragon: Racial Profiling Exposed, Jigsaw Press, Vaughn, Montana
2. Kadane, J. and Lamberth, J. (2009) Are blacks egregious speeding violators at extraordinary rates in New Jersey ? Law, Probability and Risk, 8:139-152