Press Releases
about Smart Justice
Jun 23, 2021
ACLU Statement on Biden Crime Reduction Proposal
WASHINGTON — Today, President Biden and Attorney General Garland announced a plan to combat gun and related violence.
Udi Ofer, director of the ACLU’s Justice Division, issued...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Jun 21, 2021
Alabama's Board of Pardons and Paroles Denies Restoration of Civil Rights
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Campaign for Smart Justice with ACLU of Alabama has uncovered an unacceptable drop in pardons granted to Alabamians. In a newly published report, the ACLU o...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Jun 10, 2021
NYCLU on NYS Legislature Passing the Less is More Act
ALBANY, N.Y. – The New York state legislature passed the Less is More Act, which will prevent most people accused of technical parole violations from being put behind bars, and p...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Jun 04, 2021
Bill Ending Cash Bail for Minor Offenses Moves Out of Maine House Committee with Majority Support
LD 1703 would also clarify standards for judicial officers to set bail and impose bail conditions.
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Jun 01, 2021
Judge Orders Halt to Driver’s License Suspensions for Unpaid Tickets in Washington State
OLYMPIA, Wash. — An estimated 100,000 Washington residents will have their driver’s licenses reinstated and people will no longer be penalized for driving while poor as a resul...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
May 21, 2021
Maine Lawmakers Consider Bill to End Cash Bail for Minor Offenses
Cash bail for low-level offenses disproportionately impacts low-income people and people of color
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.