How to Get Help

To help you, the ACLU needs these facts:

Be prepared to describe what happened to you, including dates, places and the names of the people directly involved.

1. How were your rights violated?
2. What explanation, if any, was given for what happened?
3. Why do you think this happened to you?
4. What steps have you taken to solve the problem (filed an appeal or complaint with the parties involved or with any public agency or official, or any other organization)? Whom did you go to and where does the matter stand now?
5. What would you like the ACLU to do for you?
6. What documentation do you have on the matter?
7. If you have consulted an attorney on this matter, and she or he believes there is a significant civil liberties issue involved, have your attorney contact us directly.

Get Help By Phone

Volunteer complaint counselors take calls during varying times within our business day. Please call (206) 624-2180 to talk to a counselor, or to find out the current times during which calls are accepted. If we are not available, you will receive a message outlining our current hours for the complaint line. Please note that we do not accept voicemail messages.

The counselor may be able to provide general information over the phone. Depending on the issues you raise, the counselor may ask you to mail us further information. If the ACLU cannot help you, the counselor will try to refer you to an organization that can.

If you find it difficult to reach a counselor, or cannot make a long distance call, you may write to us.

Get Help By Mail

Use the guidelines listed above to write a letter. Mail it to our office at the following address:

American Civil Liberties Union of Washington
ATTN: Intake
705 Second Ave., 3rd Floor
Seattle, WA 98104-1799

Attach to your letter copies of any important documents. NEVER SEND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. Do not simply send us documents or copies of letters to or from other organizations without a cover letter written by you to us explaining what the problem is and how the documents are important. The ACLU does not review material not addressed to us.

Every letter is answered, but it may take some time. The ACLU of Washington receives about 300 requests for assistance a week. Depending on how urgent your matter is, we will let you know in about four to eight weeks whether we can help you. If we cannot assist you, we will try to refer you to someone who can.

The ACLU of Washington only handles matters arising in the State of Washington.