Cases

The ACLU Foundation of Southern California undertakes litigation when doing so is the most effective way to advance a civil liberties concern. We file lawsuits that will have an impact on people’s rights by setting a legal precedent or affecting the policies and actions of public officials. We both provide direct legal representation to people and file amicus (friend-of-the-court) briefs addressing civil liberties issues in cases initiated by others. All of the ACLU SoCal’s legal work is on a pro bono basis; we never charge for our legal services.

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Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
May 19, 2025

UFW v. The County of Kern

Criminal Justice and Drug Policy Reform

Over eight years, more than 50,000 people in Kern County pled guilty to misdemeanors without lawyers at their first court appearance as a result of a plea mill system.

Black and Brown people,...

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Wooden gavel
Feb 26, 2025

Alianza Translatinx v. City of Huntington Beach

First Amendment and Democracy

In October 2023, the Huntington Beach City Council passed a resolution that called for “review of library materials containing sexual content” and restricted minors’ access to these materials. As part of...

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Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Feb 26, 2025

United Farm Workers v. Noem

Immigrants' Rights
Status: Active

In January 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents based at the U.S.-Mexico border traveled over 300 miles to Bakersfield to launch “Operation Return to Sender,” a weeklong operation through predominantly Latine...

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Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Feb 19, 2025

National TPS Alliance v. Noem

Immigrants' Rights
Status: Active

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a program established by Congress to protect individuals who cannot safely return to their home country due to war, natural disaster, or another emergency. Hundreds of...

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Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Oct 22, 2024

Blair v. Regents of the University of California

First Amendment and Democracy
Status: Active

When students at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) launched the Palestine Solidarity Encampment in protest of certain actions of the State of Israel and the Israeli Defense Forces and their...

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Wooden gavel
Wooden gavel
Feb 1, 2024

California Racial Justice Act Cases

Russell Austin and Michael Mosby are challenging the Riverside County District Attorney’s decision to pursue the death penalty in their cases under the new California Racial Justice Act. Mr. Austin and Mr....

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