Criminal Justice Reform

The rights guaranteed to the accused, defendants, offenders and prisoners are fundamental political rights that protect all Americans from governmental abuse of power.

Criminal Justice Reform

What you need to know

7,000 People

On any given day, more than 7,000 people are incarcerated in Pennsylvania as a result of a supervision violation.

2nd Highest

Pennsylvania ranks second in the nation when it comes to the percentage of its residents on parole or probation.

8.9 Times

Black Pennsylvanians are 8.9 times more likely and Latinx Pennsylvanians 3.3% more likely to be incarcerated than white Pennsylvanians.

These rights include the guarantee against unreasonable search and seizure, the right to reasonable bail, the right to due process of law; and the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. They are indispensable to a free society.

Just 2 Days

Detaining an individual before their trial, even for just two days, increases their chances of committing a crime in the future.

Indigent Defense Reform

The landmark 1963 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright established the precedent that the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of an attorney regardless of a person’s ability to pay for private counsel also applies to state courts. Since the Gideon ruling, both the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the state legislature have reaffirmed this right in the commonwealth.

Yet, Pennsylvania fails to provide the adequate funding or oversight needed for public defenders to successfully offer their clients zealous representation, as demanded by the law. That leaves the commonwealth ranked 45th out of the 50 states in indigent defense funding and tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians who can’t afford to pay for a lawyer without effective defense counsel every year.

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Indigent Defense Reform

Current Issues:

The Latest

Press Release

Criminal Legal Reform Advocates Denounce Proposed Changes to Pa. Probation Process

HARRISBURG, Pa. - As proposed legislative changes to Pennsylvania’s probation system move quickly through the General Assembly, several criminal legal reform advocates spoke out today in opposition to the bill, warning that the revisions will make things harder for many people on probation.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Reform
Press Release
protest

ACLU of Pennsylvania Files Complaint Alleging Violations of Sunshine Act in Montgomery County Public Defender Firings

Today, the ACLU of Pennsylvania filed a complaint on behalf of 15 residents of Montgomery County, alleging that the Montgomery County Commissioners committed more than a dozen violations of the Sunshine Act by firing top public defenders Dean Beer and Keisha Hudson.
Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Reform
News & Commentary
Justice Statue

Probation in Pennsylvania Keeps People Trapped in the Cycle of Incarceration

Imagine a world in which you can be detained by police and thrown in jail for taking a phone call from a family member. Or for walking down the same street in your neighborhood that you’ve been taking for years. Or for getting laid off from your job.
News & Commentary
Lisa Freeland, Paul Jubas, Turahn Jenkins, Alyssa Snyder

Voters Showed Up in Pittsburgh to Talk Smart Justice. Their DA Did Not.

On May 9, with less than two weeks to go before the first contested district attorney primary in Allegheny County in 20 years, ACLU-PA co-hosted a candidate forum to give voters the opportunity to hear from the incumbent, Stephen Zappala, and the challenger, Turahn Jenkins.
Court Case
Jun 12, 2024

Warren, et al. v. Commonwealth, et al.

Court Case
Oct 04, 2023

K.B. v. Delaware County Office of Judicial Support, et al

The ACLU of Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit against the Delaware County Office of Judicial Support’s due to the office's refusal to expunge a criminal record due to unpaid court costs, despite a court order requiring expungement.
Court Case
Aug 21, 2023

Radke, et al v. Allegheny County Jail Oversight Board

Court Case
Jun 20, 2023

Damon Monyer and the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition v. 23rd Judicial District

The ACLU of Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit in Berks County regarding two county policies that prohibit individuals from participating in treatment court programs as long as they use medical marijuana to treat their serious medical conditions.