The New York Civil Liberties Union works in the courts as a public-interest law firm, bringing constitutional test cases in state and federal court. The NYCLU's legal program balances enforcement litigation, or cases that enforce previously established standards, and cutting-edge test case litigation, or cases that seek to set new standards. While litigation alone does not represent a complete strategy to preserve and enhance civil liberties, the lawsuits pursued by the NYCLU are important because of the particular wrongs they right, the individuals and groups they protect, and the constitutional doctrines they establish. Our litigation complements our proactive program of public education and advocacy.
The NYCLU sued the New York City Department of Correction for unlawfully ignoring the NYCLU's request for the full slate of DOC databases related to misconduct authorized to be disclosed following the repeal of 50-a. The repeal of 50-a ended the era of disciplinary secrecy not just for poli
The New York Civil Liberties Union, with pro bono counsel from Milbank LLP, filed a lawsuit against the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) for unlawfully denying the NYCLU’s requests for the full slate of records related to police misconduct authorized to be disclosed following the repeal of 50-
The New York Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the NYPD for unlawfully denying the NYCLU’s requests for the full slate of NYPD databases related to police misconduct authorized to be disclosed following the repeal of 50-a.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the New York Civil Liberties Union submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Corlett, arguing that restrictions on guns in public spaces are appropriate to make public spaces safe for democratic participation
The NY Boss Bill protects the right of all New York workers to keep their personal reproductive health care decisions private and free from employer scrutiny and reprisal.
The New York Civil Liberties Union filed a motion to intervene on behalf of Rensselaer County residents and the Troy NAACP in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against the Rensselaer County Board of Elections (BOE) for their refusal to provide Troy residents, including voters of color