What Is Daniel's Law?
Daniel\u2019s Law is a category of state and federal statutes that require data brokers to remove home addresses of judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and their immediate family within days — not the 45-day CCPA standard. Named after Daniel Anderl, son of Judge Esther Salas, who was murdered at his family home in 2020 after an attacker obtained the address from online data broker profiles.
The key facts
- Origin
- New Jersey P.L. 2020, c. 125
- Federal version
- Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act (2022)
- NJ response deadline
- 10 business days
- Federal response deadline
- 72 hours
- Covered persons
- Judges, prosecutors, LEOs + immediate family
- States with equivalents (2026)
- NJ, CA, CO, MD + others
The tragedy that prompted the law
On July 19, 2020, Daniel Anderl was shot and killed at his family\u2019s New Jersey home. The attacker, a lawyer with a grievance against Daniel\u2019s mother, Federal Judge Esther Salas, had obtained the family\u2019s home address from online data broker profiles and arrived disguised as a FedEx delivery driver. Daniel\u2019s father, Mark Anderl, was also shot and critically wounded.
Judge Salas subsequently advocated for legislative change, resulting in New Jersey\u2019s Daniel\u2019s Law (signed November 2020) and the federal Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act (signed December 2022). Multiple other states have since adopted equivalent statutes.
Who Daniel's Law covers
Coverage varies slightly by jurisdiction. Core covered persons under most statutes:
- Federal judges, magistrates, bankruptcy judges (federal act)
- State judges at all levels
- Federal and state prosecutors and assistant prosecutors
- Federal law enforcement officers (ATF, FBI, DEA, US Marshals, etc.)
- State and local law enforcement officers
- Some states include: corrections officers, probation officers, judicial law clerks
- Immediate family members residing with the covered person
- Retired covered persons in most jurisdictions
How to invoke Daniel's Law
- 1
Confirm your covered status under the applicable statute (state or federal).
- 2
Identify the data brokers exposing your address — use OfflistMe's directory of 200+ brokers or a targeted broker scan.
- 3
Submit a written request to each broker citing the specific statute. Include proof of covered status where reasonable (bar number, badge, judicial appointment).
- 4
Track response deadlines: 72 hours for federal judges under the federal act; 10 business days under NJ Daniel's Law; check your state statute for others.
- 5
Escalate non-compliance. NJ covered persons can sue for statutory damages + attorney fees. Federal covered persons escalate via the Administrative Office of the US Courts.
Fast removal for covered persons
Priority data-broker removal, $2 one-time
OfflistMe drafts Daniel's Law-cited removal emails for every major broker. Covered persons and their families can each run requests from their own inbox. No ID upload, no account.
LEO removal guide →FAQ
Who was Daniel Anderl?+
Daniel Anderl was the 20-year-old son of US District Judge Esther Salas. On July 19, 2020, a disgruntled lawyer who had obtained the family's New Jersey home address from online data broker profiles arrived at the house disguised as a FedEx delivery driver and shot Daniel fatally and Judge Salas's husband critically. The incident catalysed federal and state legislative efforts to protect judges and law enforcement from data broker exposure.
What does the original New Jersey Daniel's Law require?+
The original NJ Daniel's Law (P.L. 2020, c. 125) requires any person, business, or association to remove the home address of a covered person — active, formerly active, or retired judge, prosecutor, or law enforcement officer — within 10 business days of receiving a written request. Covered persons include immediate family members. Non-compliance creates liability under 56:6A-4, with statutory damages and attorney's fees.
Who is covered by Daniel's Law?+
In New Jersey: active, formerly active, and retired federal/state/local judges, prosecutors, assistant prosecutors, judicial officers, federal/state/local law enforcement officers, and their immediate family members residing with them. Other states have similar but not identical coverage — some include corrections officers, probation officers, or election officials.
What is the federal Daniel Anderl Act?+
The Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act (2022) is the federal counterpart. It requires data brokers to remove federal judges' (and their immediate family's) personal identifiers within 72 hours of a valid written request — faster than the state 10-business-day standard. It applies nationally regardless of which state the judge resides in.
Which states have Daniel's Law-equivalents?+
As of April 2026, Daniel's Law-equivalent statutes exist in New Jersey (original), California (AB 1950), Colorado, Maryland, and several others. More states pass such laws each year. Some states extend coverage to additional roles — e.g., California covers district attorneys and public defenders, Colorado covers election workers under separate statutes.
How do I invoke Daniel's Law?+
Submit a written request to each data broker individually citing the applicable statute (e.g., "P.L. 2020, c. 125" for New Jersey, "5 U.S.C. § 8801" for the federal Daniel Anderl Act). Include proof of covered status (bar number, credentials, employment verification) where reasonable. Under the federal act, brokers must comply within 72 hours; NJ requires 10 business days.
Does Daniel's Law cover ordinary citizens?+
No. Daniel's Law-equivalents cover specific enumerated roles — judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, and in some states election officials or other government personnel. Ordinary citizens use CCPA, GDPR, and peer state privacy laws for broker deletion.
What are the penalties for a broker that ignores a Daniel's Law request?+
Under NJ Daniel's Law, affected covered persons can sue for statutory damages (typically $1,000 per violation), actual damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief. Under the federal act, civil penalties are assessed by the Administrative Office of the US Courts. Several major class-action enforcement cases have been filed under NJ Daniel's Law with eight-figure settlements.