Criminal Justice and Drug Policy Reform

ACLU protest

What you need to know

3,278

At least 3,278 people were serving life sentences without parole for drug, property, and other nonviolent crimes in 2012. ​

2.3 million

2.3 million people are incarcerated in the U.S.—triple the number of prisoners we had in 1987.

$80 billion

The U.S. spends over $80 billion on incarceration each year.

The ACLU of Southern California is committed to helping re-envision a criminal justice approach that is fair and free of racial bias, keeps communities safe and respects the dignity and rights of all who come into contact with it.

The ACLU SoCal strives to end overcriminalization; ensure fair and constitutionally sound treatment of all people; remove barriers to reentry; and increase government transparency and accountability. 

The ACLU SoCal works with community and organizational partners to reform California’s community safety approaches to end harsh policies that result in mass incarceration; achieve effective community-based solutions and opportunities; implement sensible and proportionate interventions; and prioritize rehabilitation and transformative justice over punishment.​

 

The Latest

Know Your Rights
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Public Safety Administrative Citations in the City of Lancaster

Following a legal settlement with the City of Lancaster, your rights could be impacted if you are ticketed.
News & Commentary
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Vote No on 36: Setting Critical Services Ablaze Will Not Keep Us Safe

The solution to houselessness, addiction, and theft is not returning to a failed mass incarceration experiment but serving our communities with resources and support.
Resource
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ACLU SoCal | Pro Bono

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ACLU SoCal 2024 Ballot Guide

Court Case
May 19, 2025

UFW v. The County of Kern

Court Case
Oct 18, 2022

Chicanxs Unidxs v. Spitzer

Court Case
Feb 08, 2022

Butts v. Lancaster

Court Case
Jan 29, 2018

Mitchell v. Jeffries