Cases

At any given time, the ACLU of RI is involved in dozens of legal battles on behalf of civil liberties in the Ocean State. Below is a list of many the cases we have worked on. For our annual case dockets, click here.

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Mar 27, 2000

Parent v. School Committee of the Town of Johnston

Status: Closed

Favorably settled federal lawsuit challenging the summary suspension of a high school student based solely on the content of a “free write” composition.

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Jan 29, 2000

Inmates of the Rhode Island Training School for Youth v. Lindgren

Status: Closed

This long-running class-action lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of conditions at the state Training School. A comprehensive, revised consent decree was approved by the court, and after years of...

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Mar 28, 1999

Fernandes v. Immigration and Naturalization Service

Status: Closed

Successful federal “habeas corpus” petition challenging, on due process grounds, the indefinite detention of this lawful permanent resident awaiting deportation.

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Mar 28, 1999

DeAscentis v. Pine

Status: Closed

Favorably resolved challenge to a state law barring all municipal employees, except teachers, from holding public office in the city or town where they are employed.

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Mar 28, 1999

Solas v. Emergency Hiring Council of the State of Rhode Island

Status: Closed

Successful lawsuit challenging the failure of the Governor’s Emergency Hiring Council to abide by the Open Meetings Law.

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Mar 28, 1999

Hermanowski v. Farquharson

Status: Closed

This was the first of a number of successful cases handled by the Affiliate challenging, on due process grounds, the indefinite detention by the INS of lawful permanent residents awaiting deportation.

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