News Releases

The American Civil Liberties Union today urged the Washington Court of Appeals to recognize the parental rights of a lesbian mother who has separated from the biological mother of her daughter.

The ACLU-WA joined with several women's rights and civil rights groups in urging the WA Courts of Appeals to back the rights of domestic violence survivors to protect their privacy in court records.

You should have to give up all your privacy rights when you travel by car. A new ACLU-backed law passed by the 2009 legislature has moved Washington to the forefront of states in protecting the privacy of vehicle owners.

In a victory for free speech rights, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the City of Seattle's ordinance for granting permits for parades and marches gives police too much discretion to revoke or alter permits.

The ACLU has asked Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske to take action to reduce unjustified arrests for obstructing a police officer, a charge that is only intended to be used on bystanders who interfere with police actions.

The Washington Supreme Court has ruled that police don't need a warrant or permission from a suspect before collecting genetic evidence from saliva used to seal an envelope. The ACLU had urged the Court to consider the risks to personal privacy from abuses of this practice.

Government needs a warrant or a subpoena that can be challenged in court before gaining access to personal bank records, according to a unanimous decision of the Washington Supreme Court.

The King County Council has voted to create an independent office of oversight for the Sheriff's office. It was one of several recommendations made by a blue ribbon panel that included ACLU of Washington Legislative Director Jennifer Shaw.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has asked phone companies to preserve call records that may have been illegally surrendered to a government spying program.