The ACLU of Connecticut's legal program handles cases that involve infringements upon constitutional rights and civil liberties. We represent individuals or classes of individuals whose cases will either serve to create new legal precedent or will result in general system-wide reform in favor of protecting and defending civil liberties. We file lawsuits, and we file amicus (friend-of-the-court) briefs addressing civil liberties issues in cases initiated by others. All of our legal work is on a pro bono basis; we never charge for our legal services. You can learn more about requesting legal assistance from the ACLU of Connecticut here.
The ACLU of Connecticut filed a friend of the court brief arguing that federal law forbids Connecticut from discounting a prison abuse judgment against one of its employees even if the judgment has no punitive damages within it.
When a Stamford police officer confiscated Michael Friend's phone and sign and arrested and jailed him for exercising his right to protest, he violated Friend's First Amendment rights to free speech and information and Fourth Amendment right against warrantless seizure.
On behalf of Shawn Dowdell, the ACLU of Connecticut is demanding that New Britain and the Connecticut State Police release the dashboard camera footage and other information related to Zoe Dowdell’s death at the hands of New Britain police.
The ACLU and ACLU of Connecticut have filed a pregnancy discrimination charge with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) on behalf of police officer Sarah Alicea.
In a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court, the ACLU-CT contends that three state police troopers illegally retaliated against and interfered with a protester by searching and detaining him, confiscating his camera, and charging him with fabricated criminal infractions.
On May 30, 2015, Woodrow Vereen, a music minister, juvenile detention officer, and father of three, was taking his young sons out for ice cream after a Little League game. On the way, Bridgeport police officers Keith Ruffin and Carlos Vasquez stopped him for allegedly running a yellow light.