How does the ACLU of Connecticut accepts cases?
The ACLU-CT generally files cases that affect the civil liberties of large numbers of people, rather than those involving a dispute between two parties. If you would like the ACLU-CT to consider your case you should submit the on-line complaint form or call 860-523-9146 on a Friday morning from 9 am - 10 am.
I'm busy Friday mornings can I call another time?
The ACLU-CT is fortunate to have a dedicated cadre of attorneys who volunteer their time and talents on Friday mornings. Calling between 9 am and 10 am on a Friday ensures you get to speak to someone familiar with both the law and the ACLU. If you cannot call during the designated time, please submit the on-line complaint form.
What should I consider when determining if the ACLU-CT might help with my case?
You should consider the following questions and answers to help you determine if the ACLU-CT might accept your case.
- Does this case raise significant civil liberties or civil rights issues?
Civil liberties include freedom of speech, press, religion, and association; due process; equal protection; and privacy. Civil rights include, for example, voting rights; discrimination based on disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion or national origin, and police reform. Because of the nature of civil liberties claims, only rarely does the ACLU-CT take a case that does not involve the government.
- What effect will this case have on people other than the parties involved?
Lawsuits can affect a large number of people in two ways. First, we sometimes challenge a policy or practice which directly impacts upon many people. Second, a lawsuit brought on behalf of one person can have a larger impact on others in the long run when it establishes or expands legal protections.
- What is the potential impact of the case?
Will the case set a civil liberties precedent? Will the case strengthen an existing but ignored precedent? What are the prospects of success and the risks of losing? How likely is the issue to recur? What educational opportunities do the case present?
Are there cases the ACLU-CT generally cannot accept?
Yes. The ACLU-CT generally cannot accept cases such as:
- Landlord / tenant disputes.
- An individual is being denied benefits such as worker's compensation or unemployment benefits.
- Criminal cases or complaints about a person's attorney in a criminal case. Only in limited cases, for example when a person is being prosecuted for engaging in activity protected by the Constitution (such as participating in a political demonstration), do we consider accepting criminal cases.
- Private civil disputes including contractual matters.
- Domestic matters (family, divorce, child custody, wills, etc).
- Challenges to convictions or prison sentences. It is unlikely that the ACLU-CT would provide an attorney to challenge a person's criminal conviction or the length of a prison sentence. Similarly, the ACLU will not be able to help prisoners who believe that the length of their sentence has been calculated incorrectly.
My complaint was accepted does that mean the ACLU-CT is representing me?
No. Filing a complaint does not guarantee that the ACLU-CT will provide legal assistance. We receive many requests for assistance each month, and there are simply many cases and problems of unfairness and injustice which the ACLU-CT is unable to handle.
What should I do if I need help immediately?
The ACLU-CT is unable to assist people in emergency situations. If your complaint has any time constraints, please do not wait to hear from us before taking other action.
I already have an attorney on the case, could I get legal advice from the ACLU-CT?
The ACLU-CT has a policy of not interfering with the work of other attorneys. If you already have an attorney, please have your attorney contact us if she or he feels that a constitutional issue is present and would like our assistance.
What if the incident happened in another state?
The ACLU-CT cannot provide legal assistance if the matter did not take place in or arise in Connecticut. However, you can click here to get information on other state ACLU affiliates.
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