Press Releases
about Smart Justice
May 12, 2016
ACLU lawsuit reveals one in six Massachusetts drug convictions tainted by Dookhan scandal
BOSTON -- Prosecutors responding to ACLU litigation have provided lists that, for the first time, identify more than 24,000 drug cases worked on by convicted chemist Annie Dookhan,...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Smart Justice
May 10, 2016
Court Reforms in Birmingham Will Reduce Jail Time for Poor Defendants, Require Counsel at Bail Hearings
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Circuit Court, 10th Judicial Circuit of Alabama, released an historic administrative order that will drastically change the courts’ treatment of defendan...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Smart Justice
Mar 17, 2016
ACLU Settlement in Utah Student 'Gang Sweep' Lawsuit
Salt Lake City Police and School District to Change How They Treat Students of Color and Engage in School Disciplinary Issues
Feb 11, 2016
ACLU Comment on House Corrections and Recidivism Reduction Act
WASHINGTON — The House Judiciary Committee will begin debate today on H.R. 759, the Corrections and Recidivism Reduction Act.
Jesselyn McCurdy, senior legislative counsel of the ...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Smart Justice
Jan 26, 2016
ACLU Comment on Colson Task Force Report Release
WASHINGTON - The congressionally mandated Charles Colson Task Force released its report and recommendations for addressing our flawed federal criminal justice system. The Colson r...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Criminal Law Reform
Jan 15, 2016
ACLU Sues Over Public Defender Shortage and Resulting Wait List in New Orleans
Unstable, Inadequate Funding Causes Public Defender Shortage, Putting Those Who Are Arrested and Can’t Afford an Attorney in Legal Limbo
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Smart Justice
Court case: Yarls v. Bunton
About the ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union has media staff available to handle inquiries from journalists on national issues affecting civil liberties, including questions on legislative matters that touch on civil liberties and constitutional freedoms and inquiries related to ACLU lawsuits.
To schedule an interview with an ACLU expert, email media@aclu.org.
Contact an ACLU Affiliate
The ACLU has 54 local offices across the U.S. working with attorneys and activists in their communities to shape better policies and spread awareness about their states' priority civil rights issues.
Local inquiries should be directed to the appropriate ACLU state affiliate.
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PennsylvaniaJul 2024
Smart Justice
Criminal Law Reform
Horton v. Rangos (Amicus Brief)Horton v. Rangos (Amicus Brief)
This case challenges the government’s authority to incarcerate individuals accused of probation violations for months or years without meaningfully assessing their risk to the community. -
TexasJun 2024
Smart Justice
+3 Issues
Gonzalez v. Ramirez et al.Gonzalez v. Ramirez et al.
Although Texas law clearly prohibits prosecuting people for terminating their pregnancies, Starr County officials indicted, arrested, and jailed Lizelle Gonzalez for having an abortion. The ACLU’s Abortion Criminal Defense Initiative and Criminal Law Reform Project, alongside the ACLU of Texas and south Texas firm Garza Martinez, are representing Ms. Gonzalez in a lawsuit against Starr County and local officials based on violations of Ms. Gonzalez’s constitutional rights. -
News & CommentaryMar 2024
Smart Justice
Criminal Law Reform
President Biden's Order to Ban Private Prisons Faces a Persistent Internal Challenge: The U.S. Marshals ServicePresident Biden's Order to Ban Private Prisons Faces a Persistent Internal Challenge: The U.S. Marshals Service
Three years after President Biden ordered federal agencies to end prison profiteering, the Marshals Service continues to sidestep the ban. -
News & CommentaryJan 2024
Smart Justice
Jury JusticeJury Justice
A class-action lawsuit challenges the permanent exclusion of people with felony convictions from serving on juries.