News

The ACLU Foundation of Southern California and the ACLU of Northern California have filed suit against Bakersfield Police Department officers. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of passenger Robert Mitchell, who exercised his constitutional right to not give his identity or other information to the officers as he was not suspected of a crime. Read More

The First District Court of Appeal of California just issued a ruling that will have an immediate impact on how courts will use and set money bail, that highlights an urgent need for systemic statewide reforms. Read More

In his final State of the State Address, Gov. Brown highlighted California’s journey towards sound criminal justice reforms. Read More

The ACLU of Northern California prevailed in court today in a suit under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) seeking the Department of Justice’s policies related to the use of location tracking surveillance technology in criminal investigations. Read More

Millions of Californians who renew their driver’s license or state identification by mail will be able to use the renewal form to register to vote or update their voter registration starting in April. Read More

Download the Winter 2018 ACLU of Northern California Newsletter and read about our latest events and initiatives. Read More

The Department of Justice is expected to reverse an Obama-era policy today that discouraged federal prosecutors from bringing charges against marijuana users in states where marijuana is legal. This decision would directly impact residents of the six states and the District of Columbia who have already legalized marijuana use, and should the change also affect medical marijuana regulations, could ... Read More

ACLU clients are home for the holidays after months in detention without due process. Read More

In the case of Garza v. Hargan, today the U.S. government announced it is releasing Jane Roe on her own recognizance. “We are pleased that these two young women are able to finally get the care they need," said Brigitte Amiri, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project. "But the government’s policy is still in place. These two cases show how the government continues to abuse ... Read More

San Francisco — The American Civil Liberties Union Women’s Rights Project, the ACLU of Northern California, and the law firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP filed an amended complaint today in a lawsuit against the Department of Defense seeking equal access for female soldiers to ground combat positions. The amended complaint, filed on behalf of the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), challeng... Read More

SAN FRANCISCO — The ACLU of Northern California proudly recognized Jim McQuillen, a Yurok Tribal member and dynamic champion for California’s indigenous students in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties, with the 2017 Chief Justice Earl Warren Civil Liberties Award at Bill of Rights Day on December 3. The award honors individuals who have distinguished themselves as leaders in the battle to preserve and... Read More

LOLETA – Tribal leaders are hailing the news that Loleta Union Elementary School District has entered into a Voluntary Resolution Agreement with U.S. Department of Education. The Loleta School Board is scheduled to discuss the agreement at its December 13th board meeting, which will be held at 5pm in Room 8 at the Loleta Elementary School. Leaders from the Wiyot Tribe and the Bear River Band o... Read More