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Criminal Justice

The Bill of Rights protects us against suspicionless searches and seizures. It guarantees due process to individuals who are accused of crimes and humane treatment to those who are incarcerated. The ACLU works to ensure that our criminal justice system indeed is just.
Stop the school to prison pipeline
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Washington Needs Bail Reform: Download No Money, No Freedom
Driven to Fail: Exposing the costs & ineffectiveness of Washington's most commonly charged crime
The death penalty is arbitrary, unfair, and racially biased. The ACLU of Washington argued before the Washington Supreme Court to end it.

Resources

Bureau of Prisons sued for refusing to let people with opioid use disorder stay on their prescribed medication

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, September 19, 2019
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Quiz: Detoxing from Opioids in Jail

Published: 
Thursday, September 5, 2019
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Under the ADA, opioid addiction is not a character flaw, it is a disability. We’re suing to make the Whatcom County Jail treat it that way

Published: 
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Nearly thirty years ago, when he was 18 years old, Sy Eubanks had surgery for a knee injury he got while competing on his high school’s wrestling team. His doctor prescribed him opioid painkillers, the dangers of which are now widely known. All Sy knew was that he liked the feelings his prescription gave him and he wanted more.
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ACLU Reaction to Seattle Mayor’s Office Statement Regarding Status of City’s Compliance with Federal Consent Decree

News Release, Published: 
Monday, June 24, 2019
ACLU Reaction to Seattle Mayor’s Office Statement Regarding Status of City’s Compliance with Federal Consent Decree
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Whatcom County Jail to provide medications necessary to treat opioid addiction in landmark settlement proposed in civil rights lawsuit

News Release, Published: 
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
The Whatcom County Jail will provide people in the jail with opioid use disorder (OUD) the medications necessary to treat their addiction, according to the settlement agreement proposed in a class-action civil rights lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Washington.
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Washington legislature passes reforms to protect teens from prosecution for sexting

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Governor Inslee signed into law the Responsible Teen Communications Act (SHB 1742) which protects teenagers from felony prosecution for distribution or possession of child pornography when they make explicit messages and images of themselves (“selfies”) and share them with peers, and invests in evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies.
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Christal Fields Has Overcome Her Past but Was Banned for Life from Child Care Work. Now the State’s Highest Court Says She Has a Right to Be Heard

Published: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
People with criminal records have a constitutional right to due process
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State Supreme Court: Woman Banned from Childcare Work for Thirty-Year-Old Robbery Conviction Must Be Given a Chance to Make Her Case

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Past conviction doesn’t automatically disqualify her from childcare work, court said
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Join us in advancing our 2019 legislative agenda

Published: 
Friday, February 8, 2019
The legislative process isn’t just about laws; It’s about people. This is why we need you, our ACLU-WA members and supporters, to join us in advancing our 2019 legislative agenda.
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2019 Legislative Agenda

Published: 
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Read about our 2019 Washington State Legislative Agenda
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