Legislation

The ACLU of Rhode Island strongly opposed this legislation, introduced on behalf of the Attorney General, which would give his office veto power over a criminal defendant’s current legal right to waive their right to a jury trial.

Because there is no question that rehabilitation is substantially enhanced by making contact easier between incarcerated individuals and their loved ones, we strongly supported this bill which would provide free communication services to people at the ACI.

Noting that questions of gubernatorial candidate residency is an issue best left to the voters, we opposed this legislation which would impose a five-year residency requirement on any individual who seeks to become a candidate for governor or other general offices.

We supported this bill which would prohibit police from employing threats, deception, or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics during the custodial interrogation of a juvenile.

We opposed a bill which would make it crime to release any police report involving a railroad fatality and all communications between railroad employees in those situations.

We opposed legislation which would provide that any “person in charge” of student organizations who permits hazing activities or “negligently fails to take reasonable measures” to prevent hazing” could face a potential year-long prison sentence.