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 stylized graphic with a dark blue background featuring three overlapping red-tinted panels. The left panel shows the Statue of Liberty holding a torch. The center panel displays a handwritten sign that reads “DEMOCRACY STANDS” and “THE CONSTITUTION STANDS.” The right panel includes an image of Donald Trump.

A Year of Resistance in the Nation’s Capital: How D.C. Resisted the First Year of the Second Trump Administration

2025 has brought one emergency after another. But in this crisis, residents across D.C. fought for their rights and showed why the urgency of self-governance in D.C. is more important than ever.
News & Commentary
A collage-style graphic featuring blue-toned images and text on a beige background. The composition includes a person playing a drum, a large drum in the center, and graffiti-style artwork with the words “GO GO CITY.” Another image of a person holding a child's hand and another image of a Black man speaking to community members in an urban farm. Red scribble-like lines accent the design, and layered rectangular shapes create a dynamic, artistic layout.

Three Reasons D.C. Youth Need More Support, Not More Punishment

The safest communities are the ones with the most resources, not the most police.
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.
Legislation
Feb 12, 2026

Performance Oversight Testimony for the Department of Parks and Recreation

The American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia (ACLU-D.C.) believes that empowering our young residents to lead healthy, productive lives will help make our communities safer, stronger, and more resilient. Relying on outdated approaches to public safety—such as over-policing and over-incarceration—is ineffective and does not make our communities safer. Instead, D.C. must prioritize systems and programs that support our communities, provide holistic security, and invest in the incredible potential of our youth in D.C.
Status: Performance Oversight
Position: Oversight Testimony
Legislation
Feb 04, 2026

Performance Oversight Testimony for the Department of Corrections

The American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia (ACLU-D.C.) wants to ensure that D.C.'s leaders are advocating for sensible, evidence-based reforms of criminal justice policies. This performance oversight testimony urged the D.C. Council to provide robust oversight of the Department of Corrections (DOC) and to address the systemic injustices perpetuated by the District’s decades-long carceral approach to public safety.
Status: Performance Oversight
Position: Oversight Testimony
Legislation
Feb 11, 2026

Performance Oversight Testimony for the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services and Office of the Attorney General

The American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia (ACLU-D.C.) believes that relying on outdated approaches to public safety—such as over-policing and over-incarceration—is ineffective and does not make our communities safer. Instead, D.C. must prioritize systems and programs that provide holistic security and support our communities. We believe this approach will make our communities safer, and help the District’s young residents grow into healthy, successful adults.
Status: Performance Oversight
Position: Oversight Testimony
Legislation
Dec 04, 2025

2025 Testimony Hearing on Public Hearing on Public Safety and Juvenile Justice

On Thursday, December 4, 2025, Councilmember Brooke Pinto, Chairwoman of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, held a public hearing on public safety in the District as well as B26-358, the “First Responder Retention Efforts,” B26-0052, the “Evidence-Based Gun Violence Reduction and Prevention Act of 2025,” B26-328, the “Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act of 2025,” and B26-411, the “Child Fatality Review Committee Amendment Act of 2025,” and B26-0461, the “Juvenile Curf Amendment Act of 2025.” ACLU-D.C. provided testimony only on public safety in the District and the Juvenile Curfew Amendment Act.
Status: Legislative Testimony