Due Process

The Affiliate fights to ensure that government agencies and municipalities proceed fairly when dealing with citizens in their day-to-day dealings with the bureaucracy. Legal rights cannot be vindicated when the government denies or severely limits the rights of individuals to seek relief in the courts. Nor can they be preserved if attorneys are unfairly limited in zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients.

Court Cases

Some of our current due process lawsuits include Carbone v. State of Rhode Island, filed against the DMV for suspending drivers' licences without cause, and University of Rhode Island Student Senate v. Town of Narragansett. See more due process court cases.

Due Process in the News

May 18, 2010 - DMV Advises Motorists Charged With Decades-Old Traffic Violations Of Right To a Meaningful Pre-Suspension Hearing

April 26, 2010 - ACLU Sues Over DMV Procedures In Suspending Driver’s License For Incident Occurring On “00/00/0000”

February 18, 2010 - ACLU Appeals Ruling on Narragansett “Orange Sticker” Ordinance

January 22, 2010 - Judge Upholds Narragansett “Orange Sticker” Ordinance

August 19, 2009 - ACLU Files Brief Supporting Child Welfare Suit Against DCYF

March 27, 2009 -- RI ACLU Submits Brief Supporting New Election for Smithfield Town Council

March 20, 2009 -- RI ACLU Testifies Against Government Oversight of Private Youth Sports Organizations

February 26, 2009 -- Key Witness in Wyatt Case Will Not Be Deported Before Trial

February 19, 2009 -- RI ACLU Criticizes Central Falls’ Proposal to Sell Wyatt Detention Center

February 9, 2009 -- RI ACLU Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Family of Wyatt Center Detainee Who Died in Custody

December 31, 2008 -- ACLU To Appeal Dismissal of "Racial Profiling" Lawsuit Against State Police

December 23, 2008 -- Secret Court Proceedings on the Horizon, RI ACLU Warns

June 11, 2008 -- ACLU Issues Report Opposing Continued Use of "Red Light Cameras"

May 23, 2008 -- ACLU Sues Narragansett Over "Orange Sticker" Policy

April 30, 2007 -- ACLU Brief Challengs Legality of Truancy Courts

July 19, 2004 -- ACLU Files Complaint With Justice Department Over Lack of Court Interpreters For Defendants

June 14, 2004 -- ACLU Defends Immigrant Imprisoned for Three Years While Awaiting Deportation

April 24, 2003 -- ACLU Hails Court Ruling Supporting Due Process for Detained Immigrants