Latest From ACLU of Washington

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

First Amendment Rights at Prison Upheld

Published: 
Friday, December 20, 2013
The ACLU of Washington recently succeeded in advocacy that reaffirmed The Militant’s First Amendment right to inform and share its opinions with incarcerated individuals.
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Court Finds Public Defense Systems Violate Rights of Indigent Defendants

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, December 5, 2013
In an ACLU-WA case, a federal judge has ruled that two Washington cities have systematically violated the rights of poor defendants to have legal representation. The judge also ordered Burlington and Mt. Vernon to hire a part-time public defense supervisor to oversee whether poor defendants are receiving adequate legal counsel.
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Federal Court Finds Public Defense System Violates Constitutional Rights of Indigent Defendants

News Release, Published: 
Thursday, December 5, 2013
December 5, 2013 In a resounding ruling for fairness in the criminal justice system, the U.S. District Court in Seattle has found that the public defense system of Mt. Vernon and Burlington deprives indigent persons who face misdemeanor criminal charges of their fundamental right to assistance of counsel.
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School Discipline and Civil Rights: Lessons from a Visit to Baltimore

Published: 
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Children’s misbehavior should never be something they can’t recover from. That was the overarching message I heard on a recent trip to meet with leaders and advocates from the Baltimore City School District.
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Death row inmate almost pays the ultimate price. We foot the bill.

Published: 
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
The extraordinary expense of Washington’s death penalty cases was in the news again this month, with taxpayers on the hook for most of the cost.
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The Bill of Rights Dinner: Excitement, Hope, and Kick-Ass Humor

Published: 
Friday, November 22, 2013
On November 9th, the ACLU of Washington held its annual Bill of Rights Dinner, which celebrates the past year’s work and honors those who have made a difference here in Washington. It was my first time attending and, needless to say, I was pretty excited to be there.  Although I was born and raised here in Washington, I don’t often find myself with this many like-minded individuals; and when I do, it’s pretty exciting.
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Restorative Discipline Pays Off: Suspensions Down, Grades Up, Behavior Improved

Published: 
Thursday, November 14, 2013
This week, one of the largest school districts in Florida announced it is replacing suspension and expulsions with a new restorative approach to school discipline – the same type of alternative approach that the ACLU of Washington is promoting here in Washington state.
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ACLU OF WASHINGTON COMMENTS ON WASHINGTON STATE LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD MEDICAL MARIJUANA RECOMMENDATIONS TO LEGISLATURE

Document, Published: 
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
The ACLU-WA is submitting the following comments in relation to the Liquor Control Board’s task of working with the Department of Health and the Department of Revenue to develop recommendations for the legislature regarding the interaction of medical marijuana regulations and the provisions of Initiative Measure No. 502 (as provided for in Section 141 of Third Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5034, the 2013-15 state operating budget).
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