Issues Crime Drug Policy Environment Free Speech Human Rights Local Issues National Security Student Issues Technology Racism Women's Rights

Criminal Justice The Bill of Rights protects all Americans, including suspects, defendants, offenders and prisoners, from governmental abuse of power. The 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 14th Amendments guarantee reasonable bail, due process of law, and to be free from cruel and unusual treatment. These rights are indispensable to a free society.   NYCLU Sues Police Over Wrongful Arrest of Teachers NEW YORK -- The New York Civil Liberties Union and co-counsel Morrison & Foerster LLP today announced the filing of a lawsuit on behalf of two high school teachers who were arrested, handcuffed and verbally abused by Police Department officers after they questioned the handcuffing of two students who had been involved in a fight. Read More>> Lack of Public Defenders May Free Accused Felons New Orleans' beleaguered criminal court system could have to release an estimated 4,000 low-income defendants — most of them accused of felonies — because the state and local governments lack funds to hire public defenders. Read More>> Supreme Court Strikes Michigan Law The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Michigan law denying legal representation to poor people in a criminal appeal is unconstitutional. The ACLU of Michigan filed the one of a kind case after the law was passed in 1999. Read More>>