Cases

One of the main ways ACLU-DC works to protect civil liberties and civil rights is through litigation. This section of our website documents the cases we’re working on now and those we’ve handled in recent years. Click here for general information about what types of cases we litigate.

Important disclaimer: Communicating with us through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship; only a signed agreement can create such a relationship. Additionally, past success is no guarantee of future results, even if we agree to represent you.

Filter Cases
Advanced search
Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Sep 7, 2023

Molina v. Book – Advancing the right to observe police, and challenging qualified immunity doctrine, which shields officials from constitutional accountability

Freedom of Speech and Association
Status: Open
In 2015, police officers shot tear gas at two legal observers with bright green "Legal Observer" hats. The court ruled that words printed on clothing are not entitled to First Amendment protections. Together...
Visit case page
Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Aug 10, 2023

Benjamin v. Colbert – Challenging D.C. Jail’s Failure to Provide Religious Dietary Accommodations

Criminal Legal Reform
Status: Open
The lawsuit, filed as a class action, primarily seeks a court order to prohibit DOC officials from imposing requirements on Jewish people in their custody to provide external verification of their religion as...
Visit case page
test
Aug 3, 2023

Bread for the City v. District of Columbia – Challenging Discrimination in Mental Health Emergency Response Services

Disability Rights
Status: Open
When people in D.C. call 911 for a mental health emergency, it’s generally a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who responds. The District’s reliance on police as its default first responders for...
Visit case page
Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Jul 18, 2023

M.A. v. MAYORKAS - CHALLENGING BIDEN ADMINISTRATION’S RULES TO BLOCK ASYLUM CLAIMS

Immigrants' Rights
Status: Open
The Biden Administration's new immigration regulation violates the Immigration and Nationality Act and is arbitrary and capricious, violating the procedural requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.
Visit case page
Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Mar 22, 2023

SONMEZ V. WASHINGTON POST – IS AN EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION CLAIM AGAINST A NEWSPAPER A SLAPP?

Equal Protection/Discrimination
Status: Amicus Filed

A “SLAPP” is a “Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation”—a meritless lawsuit, usually filed by a well-resourced plaintiff to deter ordinary people from exercising their political or legal rights or...

Visit case page
Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Feb 28, 2023

Ebosele Oboh v. D.C. Department of Buildings - Excessive Fine Violates the Eighth Amendment

Due Process/Procedural Rights
Status: Amicus Filed
Ebosele Oboh was renovating his house without having obtained the necessary permits. The Department of Buildings issued him a fine for the violation, then doubled the fine as a penalty for not responding to...
Visit case page