We rely on the police to keep us safe and treat us all fairly, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin or religion. This card provides tips for interacting with police and understanding your rights. [Spanish]

Racial justice victories in the WV state legislature

Thanks to your activism, 2010 was a good year for civil liberties at the state legislature.

Your ACLU of West Virginia was able to pass landmark legislation in the fight against racial profiling.

In addition to legislation mandating racial profiling avoidance training for all law enforcement personnel, the legislature passed and our Governor signed into law Senate Bill 649, which will establish badly needed standards for consent-based searches of motorists’ vehicles on West Virginia Highways. Read more on WV Public Broadcasting website.

"May I search your car?" If you’ve ever been asked this question by a law enforcement officer, then you are familiar with the issue of consent-based searches.

Despite the fact that every person has the right to say no to such a request, some consent-based searches lead to uncomfortable and coercive situations.

Very soon, however, and thanks to this new law, if officers attempt to gain your consent for the purpose of searching your vehicle, they will have to record that consent in writing or through audio while informing you of your rights in that situation.

This will be a welcome change for all motorists on West Virginia’s highways, but especially for minority drivers because they are roughly two-and-a-half times more likely to have their vehicles searched once pulled over even though they are less likely to have any illegal contraband.

Enjoy these victories and stay tuned for more updates from the office in Charleston.

Sincerely,

Frank Crabtree
Executive Director