Judge Jason Witcher: A Legacy of Fairness, Justice, and Community Service
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Judge Jason D. Witcher has built a distinguished career grounded in fairness, justice, and an unwavering commitment to public service. From his early days as a legal educator to his courageous tenure on the bench, Witcher's journey reflects the highest ideals of the legal profession.
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Born and raised in Willingboro, New Jersey, Witcher earned his undergraduate degree in History from Kean University in 1995. He pursued his legal education at Rutgers Law School while working full-time at the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission. There, he taught adolescents in high-security juvenile facilities—an experience that shaped his deep belief in rehabilitation, second chances, and justice that serves the community.
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After passing the bar in 2002, Witcher began his legal career as an Assistant Prosecutor in Salem County. His prosecutorial work emphasized integrity and equal application of the law. Later, as a private defense attorney with Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, he achieved certification as a Criminal Trial Attorney from the New Jersey Supreme Court and served on the state’s Committee on Character Fitness—demonstrating his dedication to ethical legal practice and the development of a fair legal system.
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In 2010, Witcher was appointed as a municipal court judge—becoming the first African American to serve on the bench in Salem County. Over the following years, he presided in multiple jurisdictions, including Bridgeton, Carneys Point, Millville, and Salem City. His reputation as a fair and courteous judge grew steadily. Litigants, attorneys, and court observers frequently praised his calm, respectful demeanor and his insistence that all people—regardless of background or status—be treated with dignity in the courtroom.
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Judge Witcher’s commitment to justice reached a pivotal moment in late 2022. While presiding in Millville, he discovered a troubling pattern: Latino defendants were consistently ordered to appear in person while others were given the option to attend court virtually. Deeply concerned, he raised the issue internally, emphasizing the constitutional principles of fairness and equal access. When his concerns were ignored, he made the issue public on the record in court, describing it as “the most discriminatory thing” he had ever seen in the judiciary. Rather than remain silent or complicit, Witcher chose to take a stand—even at the risk of his judicial career.
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In August 2023, amid political pressure and professional retaliation, Judge Witcher resigned from the bench. Yet his stance was ultimately vindicated. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office launched a civil rights investigation and filed a complaint confirming the discriminatory practices he had exposed.
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Judge Witcher’s bold actions have been recognized by the legal and civic communities alike. He has received honors including the Rutgers Camden Black Law Students Association’s Champions of Social Justice Award and the Camden East NAACP’s Valor Award. These recognitions reflect not only his professional excellence but also his moral courage in defending the rights of marginalized individuals.
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In 2024, Witcher returned to Rutgers Law School to teach a course titled “Law and Inequality,” continuing his lifelong mission to build a more just legal system by educating future lawyers and judges.
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Throughout his career—as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and judge—Jason Witcher has consistently upheld the principles of fairness, accountability, courtesy, and community service. His legacy is one of deep public trust and judicial oversight, forged not only in the courtroom but also in the broader fight for equality and integrity in the legal system. His story is a powerful reminder that true justice often requires those within the system to challenge it—and that doing so can create lasting change.