Criminal Legal Reform

blind justice

America’s criminal justice system should keep communities safe, treat people fairly, and use fiscal resources wisely. ACLU-TN advocates for a criminal justice system that fosters public safety by reducing mass incarceration and ensuring police accountability. We work to ensure that constitutional protections are afforded to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or income. We also confront discriminatory or unfair police practices and challenge the broken death penalty system.

The Latest

Know Your Rights
KYR

Federal Forces and national Guard being sent to Memphis

There is no emergency that merits sending federal forces and the National Guard into Memphis, and the presence of these forces will only make our city less safe and less secure. The action may result in violations of basic rights and liberties, including violations of the Kendrick Consent Decree which further protects Memphians from illegal surveillance.
Press Release
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ACLU of Tennessee Demands Mason Officials Halt ICE Detention Contract, Cites City’s Failure to Approve Contract

ACLU-TN sent a letter to Mason officials demanding they immediately stop all actions related to contracts with CoreCivic and ICE to operate an immigration detention facility. The letter states that the town failed to approve the ICE contract according to the terms of its charter.
Issue Areas: Immigrants’ Rights, Criminal Legal Reform, Democracy & Voting
Press Release
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Just City and Legal Advocates Challenge Tennessee’s Unprecedented Bail Law

On behalf of Just City, we’re challenging Tennessee’s unprecedented new bail law that makes Tennessee the only state in the country to prohibit judges from considering whether people appearing before them will be able to pay for release.
Issue Areas: Criminal Legal Reform
Press Release
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ACLU-TN Urges Governor to Veto Bill Abolishing Community Oversight Boards

The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee urged Governor Bill Lee to veto SB 591/HB 764, which would abolish existing community oversight boards and replace them with smaller, less powerful “police advisory and review committees” staffed by local mayors rather than the community. 
Issue Areas: Police Accountability, Criminal Legal Reform
Legislation
Jan 30, 2024

Wealth-Based Detention Bill

HB 1719 seeks to eliminate the consideration of a defendant's financial status when determining bail amounts. Freedom for the wealthy and punishment for poor people of all races — violates the Constitution and disproportionately impacts Black people and people with disabilities.
Status: Signed by governor
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Jan 22, 2024

Citizen's Arrest Bill

HB 0994/SB 0908 would expand the citizen's arrest law and allow individuals to threaten deadly force merely if the individual feels “threatened,” resulting in a greater threat to life and property and raising serious civil liberties concerns.
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Aug 24, 2023

Blended Sentencing & Juvenile Transfers Bill

SB 7027/HB 7073 is very complex and could have serious, life-altering consequences, both intended and unintended, for young people. This bill will lead to more young adults in prison for offenses they committed – and already served full sentences for – while they were children.
Status: Closed
Position: Oppose
Legislation
Mar 20, 2023

Eliminate Youth Fees & Fines

HB 749/SB 889 seeks to end the harmful practice of assessing fees and fines to youth in the justice system who can’t afford them.
Status: Closed
Position: Support