Criminal Justice Issues The ACLU of Rhode Island is Involved With - Court Cases, Legislation, News Releases

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Criminal Justice

“Procedural fairness and regularity are of the indispensable essence of liberty… Let it not be overlooked that due process of law is not for the sole benefit of an accused. It is the best insurance for the Government itself against those blunders which leave lasting stains on a system of justice.”

– U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson

The Rhode Island ACLU works to make the promise of fair treatment a reality for all people. All too often, the rights of those involved in the criminal justice system are compromised or ignored.  But the Bill of Rights was designed to ensure that basic procedural protections of fairness should apply to all individuals, including suspects, criminal defendants, and prisoners.

Criminal Justice in the News

  • Jun, 17, 2019: ACLU Lawsuit Over Immigrant Detentions Could Affect Detainees Held at Wyatt
  • May, 20, 2019: ACLU Files Court Brief Opposing Extradition of Man Likely to be Tortured if Returned to His Country
  • Mar, 22, 2019: Wyatt to House ICE Detainees; ACLU Raises Specter of the Death of Jason Ng

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Criminal Justice Court Cases

2019: Aguasvivas v. Pompeo
Category: Active Case    Criminal Justice    Fair Administration of Justice    Immigration    

About this Case:
This is a “friend of the court” brief filed in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island in an important immigration case in which the federal government is claiming that a person who will likely be tortured if he is extradited back to his home country cannot rely on that fact to prevent his return to that country.

Current Status:
Brief filed in May 2019.

Attorneys:
Roberto Gonzalez, Cody Wofsy

Supporting Documents
2019: Davis v. RI Department of Corrections
Category: Criminal Justice    Fair Administration of Justice    

About this Case:
This is a class-action lawsuit against the RI Department of Corrections (DOC) claiming that the facility failed to provide adequate heat to at least two cell blocks for more than a month and a half.  The lawsuit argues that the facility’s failure to provide heat during the coldest months of the year has made cells “dangerously cold,” placing prisoners’ health and safety at risk, and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Current Status:
March 2019: Lawsuit voluntarily dismissed by the ACLU following the DOC taking action to restore adequate heat.

Cooperating Attorneys:
Sonja Deyoe, Lynette Labinger

Supporting Documents

More Criminal Justice Related Court Cases »

Related Legislation

Bail Reform (S 492, S 602, H 6065)
Category: 2019    Criminal Justice    

While wealthier individuals who can post bail are permitted to go home while awaiting their hearings, those without immediate cash flow are forced to stay in jail until their case is heard, creating a wealth-based incarceration system. We testified in favor of S 492, S 602, and H 6065, introduced by Senator Ana Quezada, Senator Sandra Cano, and Representative Anastasia Williams which would confront this aspect of the criminal justice system by promoting pretrial release of individuals without the requirement of monetary bail.

Indigency Court Costs (H 5196)
Category: 2019    Criminal Justice    

H 5196 is designed to strengthen a law that requires courts to consider a criminal defendant’s ability to pay before assessing exorbitant costs, fines or fees. Bill proponents argue that the current statute is too often honored in the breach. A video of our testimony in support of the legislation can be found here.

Non-Monetary Bail (H 5088)
Category: 2019    Criminal Justice    

H 5088 would establish procedures for non-monetary bail for eligible detainees. The legislation is designed to address the critical problem faced by lower-income residents who find themselves in jail simply because they cannot afford to pay a cash bail. The ACLU offered suggestions for strengthening the bill in order to ensure it accomplishes its goal.