In a riveting session at Stockton University, U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, backed by prominent New Jersey legal figures, emphasized the need for increased implementation of Daniel’s Law, an often-overlooked New Jersey statute, to better protect personal information of judges and other legal professionals online.
Judge Salas NJ Law : A Mother’s Tragic Loss Spurs Legal Action
Daniel’s Law, christened after Judge Salas’ son, Daniel Anderl, who met a tragic end in 2020, targeted by a shooter at their family home, offers provisions to mask details like home addresses for those in the judiciary. Despite its importance, startling data from the state’s Office of Information Privacy reveals that a mere 8,000 out of 15,000 eligible individuals have embraced its protective measures.
Salas described both Daniel’s Law and its federal counterpart as “a solid step.” However, she emphasized the paramount importance of personal responsibility, stating, “it also is going to take personal accountability from every individual that is at risk.”
An Open Panel Discussion
The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University hosted the event, featuring insights from Judge Salas, New Jersey State Bar Association’s president, Timothy McGoughran; OIP director, Christine Campbell; and retired assignment judge, Julio Mendez.
