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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

No Money, No Freedom: The Need for Bail Reform

Document, Published: 
Friday, September 16, 2016
The ACLU-WA has issued a position paper examining the many harms of jailing of people in Washington before trial when they are unable to pay money bail, and recommending principles for reform.
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No Money, No Freedom: ACLU Says Washington’s Bail System Is Fundamentally Unfair, Calls for Reform

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, September 15, 2016
The ACLU-WA has issued a position paper examining the many harms of jailing of people in Washington  before trial when they are unable to pay money bail, and recommending principles for reform.
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Proposed Ordinance Provides Sustainable Response to Unsheltered Residents in Seattle

News Release, Published: 
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Community organizations and legal advocates are calling on the Seattle City Council and Mayor Ed Murray to pass an ordinance introduced by Councilmember Mike O’Brien aimed at making the City more responsive to both neighborhood concerns and the needs of people experiencing homelessness. The groups urged the City Council to vote today to move the proposal forward in the legislative process.
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Bail Reform Quiz

Published: 
Friday, August 5, 2016
How much do you know about Washington's broken cash bail system? Take our quiz!
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Video: How Police Can Prevent Shootings by De-escalating Dangerous Situations

Published: 
Friday, July 29, 2016
Jeffery Robinson, Director of the ACLU’s Center for Justice, compares the successful de-escalation of a dangerous situation in New Jersey with fatal police shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota.
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Lawmakers should act to ensure a parent’s incarceration doesn’t sever the bond with their child

Published: 
Monday, July 25, 2016
A ruling by the Washington Supreme Court has undercut the effectiveness of a law intended to maintain the bonds between incarcerated parents and their children. The Legislature needs to act to make sure the law can still make a difference in the lives of children.
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WA Supreme Court: Lakewood’s ban on panhandling violates free speech rights

Published: 
Friday, July 22, 2016
The State Supreme Court has found that Lakewood’s law banning panhandling in certain areas violates free speech rights. The ruling is a vindication of the rights of homeless people.
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Appeals court rules man sentenced under ill-conceived Drug War laws can seek reduced sentence

Published: 
Friday, June 17, 2016
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a Washington man sentenced to 18 years in prison under excessively harsh guidelines from the War on Drugs is eligible to seek a reduction in his sentence.
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ACLU urges the court: A parent’s incarceration shouldn’t sever the bond with their children

Published: 
Friday, June 10, 2016
The ACLU-WA and allies have filed briefs in two cases before the Washington Supreme Court urging it to support a law designed to maintain the relationship between incarcerated parents and their children.
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