Latest From ACLU of Washington

The latest content and updates from the ACLU of Washington website.

ACLU of Washington Statement on Kennewick Police Incident

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, April 9, 2015
"Kennewick Police Officer Glenn Ball demonstrated the kind of behavior that no police chief should tolerate in his officers. The ACLU appreciates Chief Ken Hohenberg’s firm rebuke of the officer for his actions during the stop of Omar Abarca."
Read more

Innovative LEAD Program Is Showing Success

News Release, Published: 
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
An evaluation of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program has found that it is reducing recidivism rates for participants. Under LEAD, instead of prosecuting low-level drug and prostitution suspects, law enforcement officers divert them to treatment and other social services. 
Read more

Watch the video: "7 Days: Don’t Ignore the Court"

Published: 
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
People suffering from mental illnesses who face criminal charges have sat in jails for weeks and months waiting for court-ordered competency service. Disability Rights Washington has produced a video about the case (A.B. vs. DSHS) and the problems it addresses.
Read more

Updated: A Guide to the Rights of Transgender People in Washington State

Published: 
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
We are proud to announce the latest version of our transgender “Know Your Rights” guide, The Rights of Transgender People in Washington State.
Read more

Court Orders State to Stop Violating Rights of People with Mental Illness in Jail

News Release, Published: 
Friday, April 3, 2015
A federal judge has rebuked the State of Washington and ordered it to provide competency services speedily to people with mental illness in jails. The ruling came in a suit on behalf of incarcerated pre-trial detainees who have sat for weeks and months awaiting court-ordered services.
Read more

Exposing Modern-Day Debtors’ Prisons

Published: 
Monday, March 23, 2015
How do you turn $41 into over $2,000?  Courts across Washington and throughout the U.S. have figured out how to turn small fines for routine traffic violations and other non-violent infractions into major debts for individuals without the means to pay.  HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” with John Oliver recently examined this subject, noting the ways in which differences in race and income levels are creating two justice systems: one for the rich and one for the poor.
Read more

Pages