Press Releases
about Smart Justice
Oct 01, 2015
ACLU Comment on Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act Introduction
NEW YORK — In response to the introduction by Senators Chuck Grassley and Richard Durbin of the bipartisan and comprehensive Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act, Anthony D. Rom...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Sep 10, 2015
Montez Spradley, Innocent Man, Released From Prison After 9.5 Years, 3.5 on Death Row
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Montez Spradley, who was sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit, was released from prison on Friday. He had spent 3.5 years on Alabama’s death row ...
Jul 15, 2015
New ACLU Poll Reveals Bipartisan Support Among Likely 2016 Voters for Prison Population Reduction
WASHINGTON — The American Civil Liberties Union today released results from a new national survey focused on criminal justice reform. The poll reveals an overwhelming consensus a...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Jul 14, 2015
ACLU Urges Obama to Reform the Criminal Justice System with Immediate Executive Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Steve Smith, 212-519-7811, ssmith@aclu.org
NEW YORK — In response to President Obama’s remarks on criminal justice reform delivered at the NAACP ...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Smart Justice
May 24, 2015
ACLU Issues Statement Following Brelo Verdict
Calls for Systemic Reforms of Cleveland Police Department
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Smart Justice
May 11, 2015
NJ Judge Rules Minors Cannot Receive Life-Long Sentences Without Consideration of Their Youth
Man sentenced to de facto life sentence without parole will get new sentencing hearing that factors in his maturity at the time
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Juvenile Justice
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.