Lawsuit Can Go Forward Challenging Shockingly Deficient Public Defense System
The U.S. District Court in Seattle has rejected a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against the cities of Mt. Vernon and Burlington over their failure to provide legal representation to poor people accused of misdemeanors. The court also granted the case class-action status.
Related Links
- KUOW: Federal judge says legal representation in Mount Vernon, Burlington a sham
- Read the judge’s ruling
- Small crimes, big consequences: Why fairness in municipal courts is so important
Topics:
- Criminal Justice |
- Indigent Defense |
- Wilbur v. City of Mount Vernon
ACLU Publishes First-Ever Guide to Rights in the Digital Age for Students in Washington
March 7, 2012
Text messaging, chats, Facebook, blogs, YouTube, and a host of other new avenues raise both new and old questions about legal rights. Now the ACLU-WA has published the first-ever guidebook laying out the rights of Washington public school students in using electronic communications devices.
Read More »Related Links
- Student Rights and Responsibilities in the Digital Age: A Guide for Public School Students in Washington State
- Know Your Rights: A Guide for Public School Students in Washington
Topics:
- Technology |
- Youth
Governor Signs Historic Marriage Equality Law
February 13, 2012
Valentine’s Day comes a day early! Gov. Gregoire has signed the bill making civil marriage available to all loving, committed couples in Washington state. Supporters of equality celebrated: The relationships of same-sex couples now have the full respect of state law.
Read More »Related Links
- Challenge seeks accurate language for ballot title on marriage equality law referendum
- Kathleen Taylor: Celebrating an historic victory for equality
- Rep. Maureen Walsh's floor speech on gay marriage goes viral
Topics:
- LGBT |
- LGBT Marriage
Support Civil Liberties in the 2012 Legislature
Four issues top the ACLU-WA’s agenda in the 2012 state legislature: Gaining marriage equality, Legalizing and regulating marijuana, Replacing the death penalty, and Protecting due process rights in legislation addressing gangs. Support our agenda by signing up to GET ALERTS.
Read More »
Related Links
- Lawmakers consider bill to abolish death penalty
- Groups urge legislators to reject DNA collection on arrest
- Marijuana: The new voices not afraid to say legalize
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Facebook, blogs, cell phones: Learn the new ABCs of student rights
Text messaging, YouTube, blogs, Facebook, and Twitter have joined books and pencils as part of the everyday reality of being in school. Online and mobile communications innovations raise new and old questions about the legal rights of public school students. Do you know the ABCs of student rights in the digital age? Take our quiz to find out. Take Action »
It's time to make marriage equality a reality in Washington state. More »
Washington should legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana use by adults. More »
Let's replace the death penalty with a safe and just alternative sentence.
More »