Criminal Justice Reform
The rights guaranteed to criminal suspects, defendants, offenders and prisoners are not mere technicalities. They are fundamental political rights that protect all Americans from governmental abuse of power. These rights include the guarantee against unreasonable search and seizure, the right to reasonable bail, the right to due process of law and the right to be free from cruel and unusual treatment—and they are indispensable to a free society. Yet crime control policies all too often assume that harsher law enforcement policies and longer prison sentences can solve the problem. The ACLU works to puncture this “tough on crime” rhetoric, safeguard fundamental liberties, and advocate for sensible, evidence-based reforms of criminal justice policies.
The rights guaranteed to criminal suspects, defendants, offenders and prisoners are not mere technicalities. They are fundamental political rights that protect all Americans from governmental abuse of power. These rights include the guarantee against unreasonable search and seizure, the right to reasonable bail, the right to due process of law and the right to be free from cruel and unusual treatment—and they are indispensable to a free society. Yet crime control policies all too often assume that harsher law enforcement policies and longer prison sentences can solve the problem. The ACLU works to puncture this “tough on crime” rhetoric, safeguard fundamental liberties, and advocate for sensible, evidence-based reforms of criminal justice policies.
The Latest
ACLU-D.C. Responds to Hegseth’s Order to Arm National Guard Troops in D.C.
Stop and Frisk FAQ: What you need to know in D.C.
Cases, Campaigns & Legislation
Martin v. United States – Fighting to preserve federal officer accountability for constitutional violations
Kingdom v. Trump – Challenging Denial of Gender Affirming Care to Incarcerated People with Gender Dysphoria
K.Y. v. District of Columbia - challenging juvenile justice agency's warehousing of children in jail-like setting for months instead of promptly beginning rehabilitative placements
Mathis v. U.S. Parole Commission - challenging failure to accommodate people's disabilities in setting conditions of parole and supervised release
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