Press Releases
about Smart Justice
Dec 01, 2021
Civil Rights Groups Demand Shelby County End Discriminatory, Wealth-Based Bail Practices
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The American Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, Just City, and The Wharton Law Firm sent a letter to numerous Shelby County ...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Nov 30, 2021
ACLU Sues Biden Administration for Data on Home Confinement Recipients Who May Be Forced Back to Federal Prison After COVID-19
WASHINGTON — The American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of the District of Columbia today filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice and the federal Bureau of Prisons und...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Oct 26, 2021
ACLU Files Lawsuit Challenging Pa. County’s Abusive Probation and Parole Detention System
PHILADELPHIA — The American Civil Liberties Union filed a class action lawsuit today challenging the unconstitutional incarceration of people facing probation and parole revocati...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Court case: Horton v. Rangos (Amicus Brief)
Oct 05, 2021
Landmark Settlement Brings an End to Orleans Parish District Attorney's Fake Subpoenas and Unconstitutional Intimidation Practices
Settlement Guarantees Independent External Monitor and Rigorous Training to Prevent ‘Win at All Costs’ Mentality
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Sep 21, 2021
ACLU Urges Biden Administration to Cut Ties with Private Prison Operation in Downtown San Diego
City of McFarland in Kern County Figures into For-Profit Operator GEO’s Scheme to Circumvent Biden’s Executive Order to End Renewals of Contracts
Issue Areas:
Prisoners' Rights
Smart Justice
Sep 20, 2021
New York State Lawmakers & U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler Rally With Advocates at Press Conference Calling for Passage of End Predatory Court Fees Act
National Momentum Growing to Eliminate Court Fees, On Heels of Federal Hearing and Successful California Legislation
Issue Areas:
Smart 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.