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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Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Jan 18, 1988

Addison v. Woonsocket Housing Authority

Economic Justice
Status: Closed

Favorably settled federal lawsuit challenging a Housing Authority policy barring foster children from residing with tenants.

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Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Mar 28, 1987

Donahue and Lawson v. Dept. of MHRH

Due Process
Status: Closed

Favorably settled federal court challenge to procedures used by state in authorizing the emergency commitment of alcoholics.

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Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Mar 27, 1987

Kellam v. Burnley

First Amendment
Status: Closed

Successful federal lawsuit on behalf of protesters barred from operating a sailboat with peace banners offshore of Electric Boat.

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Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Mar 27, 1987

Field v. Field

Privacy
Status: Closed

“Friend of the court” brief filed in state Supreme Court against Family Court custody restrictions on a mother solely because of her sexual orientation; the case was settled.

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Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Mar 27, 1987

Fratiello v. Gorodetsky

First Amendment
Status: Closed

Successful federal lawsuit, filed on behalf of two radicals, against Providence police for interfering with their free speech rights through harassment and bad faith arrests; the court struck down two...

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Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Mar 28, 1986

Crossman v. Marcaccio

Criminal Justice
Status: Closed

“Friend of the court” brief in federal appeals court successfully challenging assessment of attorneys fees against a prevailing plaintiff who obtained less damages than had been offered before trial.

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