Press Releases
about Criminal Law Reform
Dec 16, 2019
With Marijuana Ballot Question on 2020 Ballot and Expungement Reform Passing, ACLU-NJ Urges Legalization via Legislation Stay on the Table
With 2020 ballot question on constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana, racial justice measures are uncertain; any decriminalization plan must remove penalties to escape drug war's injustices
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Dec 06, 2019
In Win for Civil Rights Groups and Public Defenders, Appeals Court Orders New Orleans to Turn Over Surveillance Camera Locations
NEW ORLEANS – In a win for the city’s public defenders and civil rights groups representing them, a state appeals court has ordered the City of New Orleans to comply with a pub...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Dec 04, 2019
ACLU Statement on Attorney General William Barr’s Comments on Policing
NEW YORK — During formal remarks at the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Policing, Attorney General William Barr said: “if communities don’t give suppo...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Nov 22, 2019
ACLU of Alabama Comment on Aaron Cody Smith Verdict
OZARK, Ala. – Alabama cop Aaron Cody Smith's trial for fatally shooting unarmed Black man Greg Gunn in Montgomery in 2016 started this week. Today, a jury found him guilty of man...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Nov 21, 2019
Nearly 2,000 New Jerseyans Tell Legislature: Legalize Marijuana through Legislation This Session
Days after plan announced to push ballot question to legalize marijuana, nearly 2,000 signers from NJ’s 21 counties demanded legislation that centers racial and social justice
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Nov 21, 2019
ACLU-RI Settles Suit Against North Smithfield Police Over Falsely Labeling Resident “Unstable” And “Dangerous”
The ACLU of Rhode Island today announced the favorable settlement of a federal lawsuit filed last year on behalf of North Smithfield resident Jason Richer, challenging the police d...
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.
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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.