Featured Cases

Court Case
Sep 14, 2025
Yellow background with brown and blue colored images of a house roof, and a mother with her small child walking up to a front door.
  • Economic Justice|
  • +3 Issues

National Alliance to End Homelessness v. Scott Turner, et al.

This case suit challenges new funding restrictions on federal housing grants. Under the new funding application rules, service providers and communities are blocked from applying for federal housing funds for new permanent supportive housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness if they operate in jurisdictions with policies the Trump-Vance administration disfavors. This includes cities and states, like Rhode Island, that the Trump Administration deems to be “sanctuary protections” for immigrants; that provide services considered “harm reduction” services for drug users; and that have inclusive policies for transgender people.  
Court Case
Jul 21, 2025
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  • First Amendment

RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Court Case
Jun 13, 2025
Green background with blue text and text boxes that says “FIRST AMENDMENT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM” and “Smith v. RI Dept. of Corrections”
  • First Amendment

Smith v. RI Department of Corrections

This lawsuit was filed on behalf of three Native Americans at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI), and argues that Rhode Island Department of Corrections has refused to accommodate an array of religious practices.

All Cases

33 Court Cases
Court Case
Aug 03, 2021
ACI

Martinez v. Coyne-Fague

Court Case
Jun 01, 2020
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  • Criminal Justice Reform|
  • +2 Issues

Johnson v. Pawtucket

This is a lawsuit against the City of Pawtucket over a School Resource Officer’s (SRO) unlawful handcuffing and arrest of a 13-year-old African-American middle school honors student.
Court Case
May 15, 2020
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  • Due Process|
  • +1 Issue

Yanes et. al. v. ICE

This is a class-action lawsuit seeking the release of all ICE detainees being held at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls.
Court Case
Mar 27, 2020
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  • Students’ Rights|
  • +2 Issues

English Learner Students v. Providence School District

Court Case
Nov 22, 2019
A dark maroon background with white and black text that says "criminal justice solitary confinement" and "Paiva v. RI Deptartment of Corrections"
  • Criminal Justice Reform|
  • +1 Issue

Paiva v. RI Department of Corrections

ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorneys have intervened in an inmate’s pro se legal action seeking to hold the state Department of Corrections (DOC) in contempt of court for violating a 47-year old consent decree that established minimum standards for the discipline and classification of inmates
Court Case
Oct 25, 2019
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  • Criminal Justice Reform|
  • +2 Issues

Liberty v. Coyne-Fague

This is a federal class action lawsuit against the R.I. Department of Corrections (RIDOC) alleging multiple constitutional violations of the rights of prisoners with serious and persistent mental illness.
Court Case
Nov 28, 2018
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  • Government Transparency|
  • +1 Issue

Cox v. Goncalves

Court Case
Feb 06, 2018
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  • Due Process|
  • +3 Issues

Calderon v. Nielsen

Court Case
Nov 01, 2017
Driving While Black in RI
  • Due Process|
  • +2 Issues

Lacoste v. RI State Police