Due Process

The right to due process means that the government must respect the legal rights of all and proceed fairly with people in their day-to-day dealings with government bureaucracy and the court system. When the government denies or limits someone's right to seek relief in the court or denies them an opportunity to be heard, that is a violation of their right to due process.

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Explore our work protecting due process rights in Rhode Island.

The Latest


Know Your Rights
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Get a Court Interpreter

News & Commentary
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Closure Reached in Suit Against Providence for Failing to Provide Special Education Services to Preschool Children

Closure reached in a federal class-action lawsuit filed in May 2023 against the Providence school district and the R.I. Department of Education, alleging that hundreds of children with disabilities between the ages of three and five were routinely not receiving critical and legally-required special education services.
Resource
Blue voting bubble graphic with "2026 RI Midterm Candidate Survey Civil Liberties Edition" on a cream colored background. ACLU of RI logo in lower right corner.

RI Midterm Primary Candidate Questions: Civil Liberties Edition

We sent a survey of civil liberties questions to all the candidates running for statewide office (except for Treasurer) that will be on the ballot in the 2026 Rhode Island midterm elections, as well as the Providence mayoral candidates.
Know Your Rights
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Rhode Island Homeless Bill of Rights

“No person’s rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged solely because he or she is homeless. Such a person shall be granted the same rights and privileges as any other resident of this state.”

Cases, Campaigns & Legislation


Legislation
Apr 22, 2026

Exemption for Elderly Jurors (S 2052)

Status: Held for Further Study
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Apr 20, 2026

Gun Permit Appeals (H 7553, S 2163)

Status: Held for Further Study
Position: Amend
Legislation
Mar 25, 2026

The Rhode Island Civil Rights Enforcement Act (H 7352, S 2607)

Status: Held for Further Study
Position: Support
Court Case
Jul 3, 2026

Parente v. Lefebvre

This "friend of the court" brief was submitted to challenge the RI Attorney General's position that state officials are immune from ever being sued in federal court under one of RI’s key anti-discrimination civil rights statutes.