At any given time, the ACLU of RI is involved in dozens of legal battles on behalf of civil liberties in the Ocean State. Below is a list of many the cases we have worked on. For our annual case dockets, click here.
Filter Cases
Mar 27, 1987
Fratiello v. Gorodetsky
First Amendment
Status: Closed
Successful federal lawsuit, filed on behalf of two radicals, against Providence police for interfering with their free speech rights through harassment and bad faith arrests; the court struck down two...
Visit case page
Mar 28, 1986
Crossman v. Marcaccio
Criminal Justice
Status: Closed
“Friend of the court” brief in federal appeals court successfully challenging assessment of attorneys fees against a prevailing plaintiff who obtained less damages than had been offered before trial.
Visit case page
Mar 28, 1986
Irish Subcommittee of R.I. Heritage Commission v. R.I. Heritage Commission
First Amendment
Status: Closed
Successful federal lawsuit against the banning of an Irish group from Heritage Day Festival because of the group’s political nature.
Visit case page
Mar 28, 1986
LaTour v. Amaral
Due Process
Status: Closed
Lawsuit challenging a state commission’s procedures for valuating motor vehicles for tax purposes; favorably settled.
Visit case page
Mar 27, 1986
Nestel v. Moran
First Amendment
Status: Closed
Habeas corpus petition filed in state Supreme Court on behalf of courtroom spectators summarily sentenced to jail for turning their backs to a judge.
Visit case page
Mar 27, 1986
Quadrino and Rice v. Warwick School Committee
Students’ Rights
Status: Closed
Favorably settled administrative appeal challenging a school dress code barring students from wearing shorts or sleeveless blouses to school.