Press Releases
about Criminal Law Reform
Jul 19, 2017
ACLU Comment on Justice Department Expansion of Civil Asset Forfeiture
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced today the reversal of former Attorney General Eric Holder’s policy to curb law enforcement seizures of people’s property...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Jun 29, 2017
ACLU Commends Grand Rapids Police Decision to End Trespass Policy That Led to Disproportionate Arrest of African-Americans
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The ACLU is hailing a recent decision by the Grand Rapids Police Department to end a policy that permitted police officers to arrest innocent people for tre...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Racial Justice
Court case: Hightower v. City of Grand Rapids
Jun 28, 2017
Settlement Will Stop Four Mississippi Counties from Jailing People Indefinitely Without a Lawyer or Because They Can’t Afford Bail
Reforms Will Speed up Appointment of Public Defenders, Reduce Unnecessary Jail Time
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Court case: Burks, et al. v. Scott County, Mississippi
Jun 22, 2017
Video from Worthington Shows Officer Using Excessive Force Against Young Man
ACLU Calls for Investigation of Law Enforcement Agent Joe Joswiak
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Jun 16, 2017
ACLU Response to Acquittal of Officer Yanez for Manslaughter Charges of Philando Castile
ST.PAUL, Minn. – Today, a jury in Ramsey County found Officer Jeronimo Yanez not guilty of the 2016 killing of Philando Castile.
The following statement can be attributed to Tere...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
May 24, 2017
State Legislator Joins ACLU Lawsuit Against Stop-and-Frisk Program by Milwaukee Police Conducted Without Reasonable Suspicion and Based on Racial Profiling
MILWAUKEE — Last night, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Wisconsin, and the law firm of Covington & Burling filed an amended complaint in their class-action la...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Racial Justice
Court case: Collins et al. v. The City of Milwaukee et al.
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.
-
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.