News & Commentary
We sued Lancaster County judges for setting unconstitutional bail. But the problem doesn’t end in Lancaster.
We filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of individuals held pretrial due to unaffordable cash bail. This lawsuit is the latest piece of a years-long campaign to challenge the misuse of cash bail.
By Nyssa Taylor
New ACLU-PA Report Shows Courts Breaking the Law With Cash Bail Orders
A new report shows that judges assigning cash bail in violation of the rules is not an issue confined to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. It’s a statewide crisis.
By Jessica Li
I Support Victims’ Rights. And I Oppose Marsy’s Law.
I have seen the criminal legal system from every angle imaginable.
Why “stop and frisk” should not be used for petty offenses
If you are regularly stopped by the Philadelphia police, you are probably a Black man. If you are not regularly stopped by police, you should watch this video of a stop by Philadelphia police. Go on, watch it. I’ll wait.
By Mary Catherine Roper
What a Mayor Ed Gainey could mean for Pittsburgh
Last month, state Representative Ed Gainey edged out Mayor Bill Peduto in the Democratic mayoral primary. Rep. Gainey is now on track to be elected as Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor in November, an event that has taken far too long in a city with a large Black population.
By Terrell Thomas
What Larry Krasner’s Primary Win Means for Criminal Legal Reform. And How He Can Go Further.
Krasner has tackled some of the great injustices that his predecessors carried out. He also has more work to do to effectively improve the criminal legal system in Philadelphia.
By Reggie Shuford
Revoked: The probation reform bill that wasn’t
Over the last two legislative sessions, the ACLU-PA has been urging state legislators to reform Pennsylvania’s archaic and overly-punitive probation system. Although the probation system itself is complex, the changes needed to fix it are not.
By Elizabeth Randol
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