Economic Justice

The ACLU works to defend economically disadvantaged people and fights income-based discrimination in the criminal justice and public benefits systems, and in housing and employment. Economic justice is a civil right.

Victory: California Chief Justice ends "bail for trial... Read more

Fighting for homeless rights in Tulare. Read more

Homeless people's stuff being destroyed in Fresno

Class action settlement for hundreds of Fresno's homeless... Read more

Would you pay a hefty fee to communicate with neighbors? Read more

News

Advocates Applaud Governor Brown and Chief Justice’s Commitment to Reform California’s Unjust Bail System

August 25, 2017

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice, Racial Justice

Sacramento - Today, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Senator Bob Hertzberg and Assemblymember Rob Bonta announced their plan to work together to reform California’s fraught money bail system. The bill cosponsors... Read more

Action

Prop 57 Criminal Justice Reform the Right Way

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy

Economic Justice

Racial Justice

Voters approved Prop. 57 last year to break the cycle of incarceration by prioritizing rehabilitation and reintegration. California prisons must implement the law the right way.Read more »

Events

Antioch: Bail Reform Film Screening & Discussion

August 15, 2017 - 6:30pm

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice, Racial Justice

Join the ACLU and Bend the Arc in Antioch on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. for a free film screening and discussion on money bail and what we can do to replace the broken system in California. Read more

Events

Elk Grove: Bail Reform Film Screening & Discussion

August 19, 2017 - 2:00pm

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice, Racial Justice

Join the ACLU in Elk Grove on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. for a free film screening and discussion on money bail and what we can do to replace the broken system in California. Read more

Events

San Francisco: Bail Reform Film Screening & Discussion

August 8, 2017 - 6:00pm

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice, Racial Justice

Join the ACLU in San Francisco, CA on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. for a free film screening and discussion on money bail and what we can do to replace the broken system in California. Read more

News

cars in a line of traffic on an urban road

Landmark Lawsuit Settled, Paves Way for Fair Treatment of Low-Income California Drivers

August 7, 2017

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice, Racial Justice

A settlement was reached today in the first lawsuit in California to challenge the suspension of driver’s licenses as a means of collecting unpaid traffic fines. Read more

Publication

Bail Reform: ACLU Activist Toolkit

On any given day, over 60 percent of people in jail in California are awaiting trial or sentencing, and many remain detained simply because they cannot afford to post money bail. The results can be devastating. Individuals who spend even a few days... Read more »

Events

Davis: Bail Reform Film Screening & Discussion

July 7, 2017 - 7:00pm

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice, Racial Justice

Join the ACLU in Davis, CA on Friday, July 7 at 7 p.m. for a free film screening and discussion on money bail and what we can do to replace the broken system in California. Read more

News

Advocates Vow to Double Down on Efforts to Reform California’s Money Bail System

June 2, 2017

File Under :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice, Racial Justice

The CA Assembly failed to approve AB 42, a bill to reform California’s money bail system. The defeat came on the heels of the Senate’s bipartisan approval of an identical measure, SB 10, which now heads to the Assembly for consideration. Read more

Legislation

Bail Reform (AB 42)

Issues :

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy, Economic Justice

Every year in California, thousands and thousands of people are jailed while they await their trial simply because they can’t afford to post bail. In a state where the median bail amount is $50,000, it’s no surprise that many people simply can’t afford to buy their freedom in this broken system. AB... Read more »