Press Releases
about Criminal Law Reform
Jan 28, 2021
Six-Figure ACLU Ad Buy Pushes Biden to Honor Decarceration Promise Through Clemency
WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, the Biden administration announced a slate of executive orders on racial justice. Notably missing was any executive action to boldly use his power of cle...
Issue Areas:
Smart Justice
Criminal Law Reform
Jan 28, 2021
Civil Rights Advocates Release Scathing Report Tracing Ties Between Fairfax Financial and For-profit Bail Industry
Canadian Financial Firm Pledges Anti-Black Racism Commitment Even as it Maintains Role as Largest Bail Underwriter in the U.S.
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Jan 25, 2021
ACLU of Rhode Island Files Brief in U.S. Supreme Court in Major “Search & Seizure” Case from Rhode Island
Joining with groups that span the ideological spectrum, the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island has filed a “friend of the court” brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in ...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Jan 05, 2021
ACLU Issues Statement Following Charging Decision of Kenosha District Attorney in Shooting of Jacob Blake
KENOSHA, Wis. — The ACLU today released a statement after Kenosha District Attorney Michael Graveley announced that Kenosha Police Department Officer Rusten Sheskey will not be c...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Dec 22, 2020
ACLU of Louisiana’s Justice Lab Announces Partnership to Provide Free Civil Representation to People Facing Charges Stemming from Racist Policing
New “Civil Gideon” partnership with Orleans Public Defenders comes as Justice Lab receives more than 150 complaints about unconstitutional and racially discriminatory policing
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Dec 18, 2020
Legal Aid, NYCLU Joint Statement on DOI Investigation Into the NYPD’s Response During the George Floyd Demonstrations
NEW YORK – The Legal Aid Society and the New York Civil Liberties Union released the following statement responding to a report issued today by the New York City Department of In...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Free Speech
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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News & CommentaryMar 2026
Criminal Law Reform
Privacy & Technology
Drones For Intimidation. Explore News & Commentary.Drones for Intimidation
Despite talk of "drones for good" from boosters, we're seeing a new, darker law enforcement “use case” for the technology -
U.S. Supreme CourtFeb 2026
Criminal Law Reform
Us V. Hemani. Explore Case.US v. Hemani
Is a federal criminal statute, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), which makes it a felony for an “unlawful user” of a controlled substance to possess a firearm, constitutional when it is used to prosecute a person who is a marijuana user and who keeps a gun safely secured at home for self-defense? -
MinnesotaDec 2025
Criminal Law Reform
Osorio-calderon V. Warden, Fci Sandstone. Explore Case.Osorio-Calderon v. Warden, FCI Sandstone
This case is about whether people unlawfully incarcerated beyond their mandatory transfer dates under the First Step Act can file habeas corpus petitions seeking their release from prison onto prerelease custody in the community. -
IdahoFeb 2026
Criminal Law Reform
Immigrants' Rights
Rodriguez, Et Al. V. Porter, Et Al.. Explore Case.Rodriguez, et al. v. Porter, et al.
On February 10, 2026, CLRP, along with the ACLU of Idaho and Wendy J. Olson, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, and partner at Stoel Rives, filed a putative class action lawsuit challenging an immigration raid carried out at a popular family event in Wilder, Idaho in October 2025.