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.
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Jan 17, 1984
Smith v. Robinson
Disability Rights
Status: Closed
Appearance in U.S. Supreme Court arguing that attorney’s fees should be awarded under federal law in successful special education lawsuits; when the Court disagreed, Congress enacted a law overturning the...
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Jan 17, 1984
Puerto Rican Political Action Committee v. DiStefano
Racial Justice
Status: Closed
Successful federal lawsuit challenging state “verification procedure” for newly registered voters as an illegal literacy test.
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Jan 3, 1984
Donnelly v. Lynch
First Amendment
Status: Closed
Challenge in U.S. Supreme Court to a city-sponsored nativity scene display in Pawtucket. While the Court ruled in favor of the City, the decision had the positive effect of setting the outer limits on the...
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Jan 3, 1984
In re: Manuel Roderick
First Amendment
Status: Closed
Successful representation of a man who had been refused permission to change his name to an Islamic name because of a past criminal record.
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Mar 28, 1983
Malagrino v. Miceli
Due Process
Status: Closed
Successful federal lawsuit brought on behalf of a member of Westerly Planning Board who was summarily removed by the Town Council without a hearing.
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Mar 27, 1983
Harris v. Moran
Privacy
Status: Closed
Favorably settled federal court suit challenging prison strip-searching of female visitors on the basis of unsubstantiated tips.