Scales of Justice in Courtroom

Legal Docket

For decades, the ACLU Foundation of Northern California has used the courts to protect and expand the rights of all Californians. From fighting against the internment of Japanese Americans, to suing California Highway Patrol for targeting Black and Latinx drivers, the ACLU is building a more just state one lawsuit at a time.

ACLU of Northern CA
Case

United States v. Jamison

Aug 11, 2006
The ACLU Foundation of Northern California filed an amicus brief arguing that the government violates the Sixth Amendment and attorney-client privilege when it records telephone calls between a pre-trial detainee and his lawyer and then provides the recordings to the prosecution team. Read More
ACLU of Northern CA
Case

Joshua Wolf v. United States of America

Jul 27, 2006
A federal grand jury issued a subpoena seeking the unpublished portions of a journalist's videotape of a political demonstration. The journalist refused to hand over the material, asserting his First Amendment rights. The ACLU Foundation of Northern California filed amicus briefs arguing that a journalist does have a qualified First Amendment privilege in such circumstances and that a court must b... Read More
ACLU of Northern CA
Case

Clarence Allen Cases

Jul 13, 2006
ACLU Foundation of Northern California efforts to support clemency for Mr. Clarence Ray Allen, a Native American elder with disabilities who was scheduled to be executed at San Quentin State Prison on January 17, 2006.Even though Mr. Allen suffers from coronary heart disease, is severely diabetic, and is legally blind, the Glenn County Superior Court set his execution date. If the execution is car... Read More
ACLU of Northern CA
Case

Velazquez v. Henderson

Jun 06, 2006
Without any trial or due process, hundreds of West Sacramento residents of a predominantly Latino neighborhood were served a permanent "gang" injunction. In addition to challenging this injunction in a separate case, California v. Broderick Boys, the ACLU Foundation of Northern California is representing one such resident, a 28-year-old father, who was served by the injunction that imposes a life... Read More
ACLU of Northern CA
Case

ACLU Foundation of Northern California v. Department of Defense

May 25, 2006
This is an action under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), for injunctive and declaratory relief, seeking expedited processing and release of agency records requested by plaintiffs ACLU Foundation of Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, University of California Santa Cruz Students Against War, and Berkeley Stop the War Coalition from defendants United Stat... Read More
ACLU of Northern CA
Case

O'Connell v. City of Stockton

May 05, 2006
Is due process violated by a city forfeiture ordinance that authorizes the immediate seizure of vehicles allegedly involved in the solicitation of prostitution or drugs without any provision for a prompt hearing to determining probably cause and the necessity for retaining the vehicle during the pendency of the forfeiture action? Read More
ACLU of Northern CA
Case

Evans v. City of Berkeley

Mar 09, 2006
After the City terminated the Sea Scouts' free berth space, the Sea Scouts sued the City, claiming that it had violated their First Amendment and equal protection rights. The trial court dismissed the action, and plaintiffs appealed. The First Appellate district affirmed. Evans v. City of Berkeley, 104 Cal. App. 4th 1 (2002). The appellate court (after affirming the dismissal of contract and o... Read More
ACLU of Northern CA
Case

R.G. v. Koller

Feb 07, 2006
A federal civil rights lawsuit against Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF), the state's juvenile detention facility. The three plaintiffs were abused and harassed because of their sexual orientation and gender identity while at HYCF. Read More
ACLU of Northern CA
Case

Commission on Peace Officers Standards & Training v. Superior Court for County of Sacramento

Jan 17, 2006
The Los Angeles Times sought release of records from the California Commission on Police Officers Standards and Training regarding the appointment, promotion, and termination histories of various police officers. Trial court granted access to some of the requested information. Court of Appeal reversed it. The Los Angeles Times appealed. The ACLU Foundations of California filed an amicus brief in t... Read More
ACLU of Northern CA
Case

Angelucci v. Century Supper Club

Aug 26, 2005
Must victims of discrimination affirmatively request and be denied equal treatment before they may sue under the Unruh Act or the Gender Tax Repeal Act? Does advertising a sex-based price discount violate the Unruh Act or the Gender Tax Repeal Act? Read More