Press Releases
about Smart Justice
May 19, 2021
ACLU Statement on Results of Philadelphia District Attorney Primary Election
PHILADELPHIA 鈥� The American Civil Liberties Union responded this morning to the announcement that Larry Krasner had secured the Democratic nomination for district attorney in Phi...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Apr 27, 2021
ACLU of Colorado Sues Mesa County Judge, Sheriffs Who Caused Boulder Woman 15 Days in Jail Without Opportunity for Pretrial Release
DENVER 鈥� In a filing this morning in federal district court, ACLU lawyers sued the Chief Judge in Mesa County, Brian Flynn, as well as Mesa County Sheriff Matt Lewis and Boulder ...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Apr 26, 2021
Terrell Marshall Law Group, ACLU of Washington File Lawsuit Against Pierce County for Imposing Excessive Fines on People Who Cannot Afford to Pay Court Debt
The Terrell Marshall Law Group and ACLU of Washington filed a class-action lawsuit against Pierce County on Monday claiming the county has violated the constitutional rights of tho...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Apr 22, 2021
Louisiana House Committee Passes Bill That Seeks to Address Louisiana鈥檚 High Pretrial Incarceration Rate
ACLU of Louisiana releases statement on signature legislation House Bill 46, which would shorten the amount of time Louisianians can be jailed without charge
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Apr 21, 2021
Connecticut Civil Rights Advocates Call for Passage of Clean Slate Bill
Bill pending in the Senate, S.B. 1019, includes protections against discrimination on the basis of an erased record
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Apr 12, 2021
ACLU of Tennessee Launches Campaign to Shine a Light on Money Bail Practices in Rural Tennessee Counties
ACLU-TN's "In Our Backyards" Storytelling Project Lifts Voices of Directly-Impacted Tennesseans
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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.