Press Releases
Dec 22, 2025
Travis County Signs Settlement Agreement to Resolve ACLU and ACLU of Texas Lawsuit, Guaranteeing Counsel at First Appearance in Travis County
AUSTIN, Texas – Travis County signed a settlement agreement last Friday that ensures every person arrested and facing incarceration in the county is provided with an attorney at ...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Apr 11, 2024
Travis County Sued Over Denying Right to Legal Counsel
AUSTIN, Texas — A class action lawsuit on behalf of people jailed without lawyers in Travis County was filed in federal court Wednesday night to affirm the constitutional right t...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Feb 19, 2021
Court Rules Missouri’s Waiting List for Public Defender Violate Constitutional Right to Counsel
Judge Gives Legislature Four Months to Fix the Problem
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Feb 27, 2020
Groundbreaking Lawsuit Targets State of Missouri for Unconstitutional Public Defender Waiting Lists
Lawsuit challenges practice that has forced thousands throughout to navigate criminal legal process without counsel
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Court case: David v. Missouri
Jan 10, 2020
ACLU Settlement Agreement Secures Governor’s Commitment to $14 Million in Added Support for Public Defense Systems Throughout California and Agency Expansion
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Northern California along with its other California affiliates, and the law firms Morgan, Lewis & Bockius...
Issue Areas:
Criminal Law Reform
Court case: Phillips v. State of California
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
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.