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.

Lady Liberty

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

News & Commentary
A group of uniformed soldiers gather around the back of a pickup truck on a city street, while a few civilians stand nearby. Behind them are colorful murals and a large sign advertising live music events.

Know Your Rights in Encounters with Law Enforcement and Military Troops

The recent militarization of D.C. is a reminder of how quickly government power can expand. Our guide explains what to do if you’re stopped by police or troops.
Know Your Rights
Stylized graphic of police officers in uniform wearing bulletproof vests, tinted red against a blue background. The design uses sharp geometric framing and halftone texture.

Encountering Law Enforcement and Military Troops in D.C.

No matter what uniform they wear, federal agents and military troops are bound by the Constitution, including our rights to peaceful assembly and due process.
Press Release
Red and dark blue overlay of hands hold microphones

ACLU-D.C. Responds to Hegseth’s Order to Arm National Guard Troops in D.C.

The president relied on a phony emergency as an excuse to overstep his power, and now we have a real emergency – the threat of an unnecessary and disorienting flood of armed military forces on D.C. streets.
Resource
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Home

Court Case
Jul 25, 2025

Martin v. United States – Fighting to preserve federal officer accountability for constitutional violations

Court Case
Jul 29, 2025

Kingdom v. Trump – Challenging Denial of Gender Affirming Care to Incarcerated People with Gender Dysphoria

Court Case
Oct 28, 2024

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

Court Case
May 06, 2024

Mathis v. U.S. Parole Commission - challenging failure to accommodate people's disabilities in setting conditions of parole and supervised release

This case, brought by a class of people who are or will be on parole or supervised release in Washington, D.C., challenges the failure of the federal government’s post-conviction supervision system to accommodate individuals with disabilities as required by federal law.