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ACLU Urges Hawai'i to Act on Department of Justice Report on Youth Correctional Facility (08/12/2005)
HONOLULU -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i is urging state officials to act immediately on the Department of Justice's report released today about its investigation into problematic conditions and practices at the Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility, many of which were uncovered by an earlier ACLU inquiry.

ACLU Says Habeas Legislation is Unconstitutional, Should be Rejected by the Senate Judiciary Committee (07/28/2005)
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today has begun to consider legislation that would strip federal courts of their jurisdiction and take away defendant's safeguards against being wrongfully convicted and even executed. The committee will continue to consider this legislation after the August recess. The American Civil Liberties Union opposes this bill, saying it unconstitutionally violates the doctrine of Separation of Powers and threatens the independence of the federal judiciary.

ACLU of Alaska Appeals State University's Refusal to Admit Ex-Felon to Social Work Program (07/01/2005)
ANCHORAGE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska today filed an appeal on behalf of Micheal Purcell, a University of Alaska-Anchorage student and former prisoner who was denied entry into the social work program due solely to his past criminal convictions. ACLU of Alaska attorneys say the school's denial of entry to a model student constitutes a violation of Purcell's right to rehabilitation under the Alaska Constitution.

"Girlfriend Problem" Harms Women and Children, Impacted Families Call Mandatory Sentences Unfair and Destructive (06/14/2005)
WASHINGTON -- Several formerly incarcerated women, a child of an incarcerated woman and national experts on sentencing policy - including the American Civil Liberties Union - told lawmakers today about the negative effects of drug sentencing laws have on women and families and urged reform. Under current drug laws, even those with little involvement in drug trafficking operations - often women in relationships with men involved in drug-related activities - are held liable for the entire quantity of drugs charged in connection with the conspiracy.

ACLU Applauds Supreme Court Rulings in Two Cases Charging Racial Bias in Jury Selection (06/13/2005)
WASHINGTON -- The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded two decisions by the Supreme Court that will make it more difficult for prosecutors to engage in racial discrimination during jury selection.

Statewide Public Defender Becoming a Reality (06/08/2005)
The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded the Montana legislature for enacting a precedent-setting bill that creates the state's first ever state-wide public defender office.

ACLU Hails Montana's Public Defense Bill as Leading National Trend (06/08/2005)
HELENA, MT - The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded the Montana Legislature's passage of groundbreaking public defender legislation that creates a new statewide office and guarantees constitutional rights to all Montanans, not just those who can afford to pay lawyers.

"No More Tulias" Legislation Introduced in Congress, ACLU Supports Oversight, Accountability of Drug Task Forces (05/25/2005)
WASHINGTON - Legislation introduced today would provide oversight and accountability for the millions of federal dollars distributed to state and local law enforcement agencies to fight the drug war. The American Civil Liberties Union called the bill an important first step toward stopping widespread drug task force scandals such as the one in Tulia, Texas, where many of the town's African American residents were arrested on bogus drug charges.

NYCLU Hails Introduction of Civil Rights Legislation to End Unlawful NYPD Detention Practice (05/24/2005)
NEW YORK -- The New York Civil Liberties Union today called on the City Council to pass landmark civil rights legislation that will be introduced tomorrow. Known as the ""Charge or Release"" bill and introduced by Council Member Bill Perkins, it would mandate that individuals arrested in New York City are arraigned within 24 hours of arrest.

Alaska Superior Court Judge Affirms Right Of Accused To Interview Witnesses (05/12/2005)
ANCHORAGE -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska today lauded a court ruling striking down part of a decades-old law that required defense representatives to get written releases before interviewing witnesses and prohibiting them from taping interviews. The court also upheld provisions that merely require defense counsel to advise victims verbally that they have the right not to answer questions.

Michigan Attorney General Plan Would Erode Right to Fair Trial, Charges ACLU (05/10/2005)
DETROIT -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan today expressed concern over reports that Attorney General Mike Cox is pushing for legislation that would significantly alter the judicial process and jeopardize due process rights by doing away with preliminary examinations in most felony cases.