Press Releases
Nov 02, 2017
ACLU Sues Nevada Over Deficient, Unconstitutional Public Defense System in 11 Rural Counties
CARSON CITY, Nev. — The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Nevada, Franny Forsman, and O’Melveny & Myers LLP filed a class-action lawsuit against Nevada for routin...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Court case: Davis v. Nevada
Oct 12, 2017
ACLU Challenges South Carolina Municipalities that Deny Public Defenders to Poor People Who Are Then Prosecuted, Convicted, and Jailed
People Who Can’t Afford Attorneys Must Defend Themselves in Court Against Criminal Charges with Life-Altering Consequences
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Court case: Bairefoot v. City of Beaufort et al
Sep 28, 2017
ACLU Challenges Miami-Dade Court’s Removal of Public Defenders from People Facing Criminal Charges, Forcing Them to Represent Themselves
This unconstitutional practice places a particular burden on people who don’t speak English.
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Court case: Rodriguez v. Hague
Mar 09, 2017
ACLU Sues Missouri Over Disastrous Public Defender System
State Fails to Provide Adequate Legal Representation to Tens of Thousands Every Year, Resulting in Unnecessary Jail Time, Forced Pleas, Other Injustices
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Smart Justice
Apr 13, 2016
Fresno Judge Rules State May Be to Blame for Fresno’s Flawed Public Defense System
FRESNO – A Fresno judge has ruled against the state of California in its effort to avoid responsibility for ensuring that people who can’t afford to hire their own lawyers are ...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Apr 04, 2016
New Report Investigates Courts in South Carolina that Convict and Jail Many Defendants Without a Lawyer Present
The Nation’s Criminal Defense Bar and the ACLU Find Routine Violations of the Sixth Amendment for South Carolinians Who Are Accused of Low-Level Offenses and Who Cannot Afford an Attorney
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
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.