ACLU of Washington

Criminal Justice

The Unfulfilled Promise of Gideon (PDF)
An ACLU report on deficiencies in the indigent public defense systems in Washington state.

Sentenced to Death: A Report on Washington Supreme Court Rulings in Capital Cases (PDF)
The ACLU analyzed all reported capital cases in Washington to evaluate how well our state guarantees constitutional fairness in death penalty trials.

Drug Policy

The ACLU-WA Drug Policy Project: Working to End the War on Drugs (PDF)

Drug Testing - A Bad Investment (PDF)

Report by U.W. Researchers Finds Marijuana Prohibition Is Not Achieving Its Aims
A report by two University of Washington researchers finds that marijuana prohibition has had heavy financial and human costs - yet has failed to achieve its intended goals.

"Marijuana: It's Time for a Conversation" booklet (PDF)

The Washington State Medical Use of Marijuana Act (PDF)

A Guide to Washington's Medical Marijuana Law
Washington State voters passed the Medical Use of Marijuana Act in 1998 as a ballot initiative (I-692). The information here provides a general explanation of the law.

A Guide to Washington’s Medical Marijuana Law (brochure) (PDF)
A Guide for Patients, Providers, Physicians, Law Enforcement, and the Public

Seattle Police Department Legal Notice to Designated Medical Marijuana Patient (PDF)

Seattle Police Department Legal Notice to Designated Medical Marijuana Provider (PDF)

Public Housing (PDF)
Did you know that if you live in public housing and a family member or guest uses drugs, your whole family can be evicted?

Freedom of Expression

Media Ownership Rules Threaten Diversity of Ideas (PDF)
Americans need access to a diversity of viewpoints to fully participate in our democratic society. Media should provide a wide range of news, commentary and cultural programming.

A History of Fighting Censorship (PDF)

Huelgas Estudiantiles y Expresión Política en las Escuelas
Información de los derechos de libre expresión de estudiantes, y de reglamentos escolares sobre ausencias sin permiso.

Student Walkouts and Political Speech at School
A Q&A about walkouts, policy regarding absences, and other student political speech at public schools.

Street Speech: Your Rights in Washington to Parade, Picket, and Leaflet
This pamphlet provides general information about your right to express your political beliefs in public.

Out of Control: Seattle's Flawed Response to Protests Against the World Trade Organization (PDF)
An ACLU-WA report on the civic disturbances during the November 1999 WTO Ministerial Conference in Seattle.

Immigrant Rights

Sus Derechos en Puestos de Control en las Terminales de Transbordadores (PDF)

Know Your Rights at Ferry Checkpoints (PDF)
Planning to visit the San Juans this summer? A new ACLU flyer explains your rights at Customs checkpoints at ferry terminals.

Guía Familiar de Representación con las Mesas Directivas Escolares en Washington (PDF)
Guía para familias que quieran hablar y representarse con la mesa directiva de sus distritos escolares.

Guía Familiar de Disciplina Escolar en Washington (PDF)
Información sobre los procesos de disciplina en las escuelas públicas de Washington.

Conozca Sus Derechos ante los Minutemen en Washington (PDF)
Información legal de como comportarse si lo confrontan los cazainmigrantes Minutemen.

Huelgas Estudiantiles y Expresión Política en las Escuelas
Información de los derechos de libre expresión de estudiantes, y de reglamentos escolares sobre ausencias sin permiso.

Conozca sus Derechos ante la Policía y la Migra (PDF)
Una tarjeta de cartera, con información de como comportarse con la policía.

Iraqis: What to Do If the FBI or Police Contact You for Questioning
As the invasion of Iraq began, the FBI announced a plan to interview at least 11,000 Iraqis in the next couple weeks. While the interviews are reportedly voluntary, many Iraqi immigrants lawfully in the country are fearful they may be detained or sent back to Iraq for saying something wrong.

LGBT

The Legal Rights of Registered Domestic Partners in Washington State (PDF)
A new ACLU guide explains Washington's domestic partnerships law and answers several questions about the domestic partner registry.

Why Marriage Equality Matters (PDF)
Various facts about why marriage equality is an issue of importance for everyone.

The Rights of Gays and Lesbians and the Work of the ACLU of Washington (PDF)
As a broad-ranging civil liberties organization, the American Civil Liberties Union is very proud of its early and extensive advocacy on behalf of the rights of lesbians and gay men. Nationwide, the ACLU undertakes more legal work for gay rights than any other organization in the United States.

Educate Your Community About Marriage Rights (PDF)

National Security

Suspicionless Checkpoints Violate Rights (PDF)
The U.S. Border Patrol is stopping and questioning motorists at checkpoints and people riding buses away from the border. The ACLU opposes setting up Constitution-Free zones where government officers intrude on people's rights.

Know Your Rights at Ferry Checkpoints (PDF)
Planning to visit the San Juans this summer? A new ACLU flyer explains your rights at Customs checkpoints at ferry terminals.

Police Practices

Know Your Rights When Encountering Law Enforcement (PDF)

Sus Derechos en Puestos de Control en las Terminales de Transbordadores (PDF)

Know Your Rights at Ferry Checkpoints (PDF)
Planning to visit the San Juans this summer? A new ACLU flyer explains your rights at Customs checkpoints at ferry terminals.

What to Do if You Are Stopped by Police (PDF)
A wallet-size card with tips on how to handle a police encounter.

What to Do if You Are Contacted by the FBI (PDF)
A wallet-size card with tips on how to deal with the FBI, aimed at the Arab community.

Conozca sus Derechos ante la Policía y la Migra (PDF)
Una tarjeta de cartera, con información de como comportarse con la policía.

When Child Protection Investigations Harm Children
A report on the 1997 Wenatchee sexual abuse cases.

Racial Justice

Racial Disparity in Education: Questions WSIPP and Policymakers Should Consider (PDF)
An ACLU analysis of WASL data, showing educational inequities between students of different racial and ethnic groups. The report was updated on Feb. 14, 2007.

Religious Liberty

The Religious Right in Washington
This report examines some of the key organizations, leaders, ideology, and activities of the religious right-and their interconnections. Its focus is on those aspects that threaten constitutional freedoms, including the separation of church and state.

Reproductive Rights

What You Should Know About Reproductive Freedom in Washington State (PDF)

Sex Education in Washington Public Schools (MS WORD DOC)
A study of sex education curricula.

Student/Youth Rights

Defending Youth in Truancy Proceedings: A Practice Manual for Attorneys (PDF)
A practical manual for attorneys representing students in truancy proceedings. Discusses rules of law and issues of strategic judgment at each stage of the truancy process, emphasizing issues and procedures in the contempt phase.

The Pledge of Allegiance in Washington Public Schools (PDF)
Many public schools in the United States ask students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Some students object to the practice for reasons of conscience. Both the Washington Legislature and the courts have developed a common-sense solution to the conflict: a school may lead students in reciting the Pledge, but it must also respect the wishes of students who choose not to join in.

Conoce Tus Derechos (PDF)
Una Guía para Estudiantes en Escuelas Públicas en Washington

Military Recruitment Opt Out (PDF)
Sample letter to opt out of military recruiting database.

School Consent Form (PDF)
SCHOOL CONSENT FORM for RELEASE of NAME, ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER

Guía Familiar de Absentismo Escolar (The Spanish Language Parents’ Guide to Truancy) (PDF)
Esta guía está diseñada para ayudar a los padres a entender los derechos de sus hijos en el proceso de absentismo escolar. Nuestra intención no es ofrecer asesoramiento legal.

Gender Equity in Athletics: A Guide for Families and Students (PDF)
This guide is designed to help students, parents and guardians understand students’ rights concerning gender equity in athletics in Washington.

Know Your Rights: A Guide for Public School Students in Washington (PDF)
This document summarizes the current laws governing students' life in Washington's public primary and secondary schools.

Parents' Guide to Truancy in Washington (PDF)
A practical guide on the process of truancy enforcement in Washington schools.

Guía Familiar de Representación con las Mesas Directivas Escolares en Washington (PDF)
Guía para familias que quieran hablar y representarse con la mesa directiva de sus distritos escolares.

Guía Familiar de Disciplina Escolar en Washington (PDF)
Información sobre los procesos de disciplina en las escuelas públicas de Washington.

Parents' Guide to Public School Discipline in Washington (PDF)
This pamphlet provides nuts-and-bolts advice for parents whose children are facing disciplinary proceedings at a public school. It is designed for those who intend to advocate for their children in meetings with administrators, hearing officers, and school boards.

Parents' Guide to School Board Advocacy in Washington (PDF)
A tool for parents who want to communicate and advocate before their school board.

Huelgas Estudiantiles y Expresión Política en las Escuelas
Información de los derechos de libre expresión de estudiantes, y de reglamentos escolares sobre ausencias sin permiso.

Student Walkouts and Political Speech at School
A Q&A about walkouts, policy regarding absences, and other student political speech at public schools.

Associated Student Body Clubs Under the Federal Equal Access Act
A recent federal court decision affects how Washington schools must operate their Associated Student Body organizations.

Stretching the Equal Access Act (PDF)
The federal Equal Access Act makes it unlawful for most public high schools to deny student groups the ability “to meet on school premises during noninstructional time” on the basis of “the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the speech at such meetings.” This article explores the ramifications of stretching the Equal Access Act (“EAA” or “the Act”) beyond equal access to school premises for meetings during noninstructional time.

School Discipline for Uncensored Anonymous Internet Forums (PDF)
Three high school students from the suburbs of Seattle created their own little marketplace of ideas: a website on the Internet where friends and classmates could post messages on an electronic bulletin board and chat room, sharing with each other--and the world--their thoughts, opinions, wishes, speculations, and fears.

ACLU-WA's Work for Student Rights
Highlights from the ACLU-WA's work for student rights.

Technology

EDL vs. Passport - RFID Comparison Factsheet (PDF)
A flier outlining the privacy risks of RFID in the new Washington Enhanced Licenses and U.S. passports.

Data Harvesting from Driver's Licenses (PDF)
An ACLU flyer on unauthorized scanning of driver's license information.

Protecting Your Privacy in an Age of Technology (PDF)
ACLU flyer explaining the need for laws to protect privacy.

Learn More About RFID (PDF)
A primer on Radio Frequency Identification and its risks to privacy.

Enhanced Driver's Licenses vs. Passports: A Guide to Choosing
A simple new guide lays out the benefits and drawbacks of using the new Enhanced Driver's License as an alternative to the passport for border crossings.

Voting Rights

El Restablecimiento Del Derecho a Votar en Washington (PDF)

Voting Rights Restoration in Washington State (PDF)

Washington's New Voting Rights Restoration Process: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Women's Rights

The History of Women’s Jury Service in Washington (PDF)
An article in the Washington State Bar News by ACLU-WA Staff Attorney Aaron Caplan.

Other

How to Get Government Records (PDF)
A guide to obtaining public records

How to Get Government Records
A guide to obtaining public records

FOIA Letter Template (MS WORD DOC)
A template for creating a Freedom of Information Act request.

Example of a FOIA Request Letter (PDF)
This is a Freedom of Information Act request sent by the ACLU to the Directorate for Freedom of Information and Security Review. It is part of the ACLU's 2006 campaign to seek records of government surveillance of local peace groups.

Publications

Criminal Justice

Drug Policy

Freedom of Expression

Immigrant Rights

LGBT

National Security

Police Practices

Racial Justice

Religious Liberty

Reproductive Rights

Student/Youth Rights

Technology

Voting Rights

Women's Rights

Other