Criminal Justice

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The U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights protects us against suspicionless searches and seizures. It guarantees due process to individuals who are accused of crimes and humane treatment to those who are incarcerated. However, all too often the rights of those involved in the criminal justice system are compromised or ignored.

The ACLU of Minnesota works to reform the criminal justice system and make the promise of fair treatment a reality for all people. Through litigation and legislative efforts, we work to ensure that our criminal justice system upholds these constitutional protections.

The Latest

Press Release
Blue background with red and white text reading "Breaking News: ACLU-MN, Nelson Mullins Firm Sue on Behalf of Man Wrongfully Arrested, Detained"

ACLU-MN, Nelson Mullins Firm Sue on Behalf of Man Wrongfully Arrested, Detained

When two men carjacked someone, robbed a group of women at the Mall of America a day later, and used the women’s cards to buy items at Walmart, Kylese Perryman was nowhere nearby. Police arrested the innocent man anyway and failed to do a basic investigation that would have cleared him. We sued.
Press Release
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Appeals Court Upholds Verdict Against Anoka County for False Imprisonment

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday upheld a lower-court ruling that Anoka County’s policy of contacting ICE about every foreign-born person the county jailed was a “classic example of national-origin discrimination.”
Court Cases: Parada v. Anoka County
Press Release
Navy blue background with white lettering that reads: ACLU of Minnesota Statement

ACLU-MN RESPONDS TO POLICE KILLING OF DAUNTE WRIGHT

Police killed Daunte Wright, 20, during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center Sunday afternoon. Yet another Black life was taken by those sworn to protect, and we join the community in mourning Wright's loss.
Press Release
Navy blue background with white lettering that reads: ACLU of Minnesota Statement

The Legal Rights Center and ACLU of Minnesota Demand Immediate Amendment of the Charges in the Derek Chauvin Criminal Complaint and Appointment of a Special Prosecutor

riminal
Court Case
Apr 15, 2020

Foster et al. v. Minnesota Department of Corrections et al.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota filed a petition against the state Department of Corrections Wednesday to keep prisoners and staff at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Moose Lake (MCF-Moose Lake) safe from the rapidly spreading COVID-19.
Court Case
Oct 14, 2019

Rodriguez v. Riley

Court Case
Apr 28, 2017

Emerson v. Leslie

Court Case
Jun 11, 2014

State v. Bernard