News & Commentary
Mar 08, 2020
2020 Legislative Session Brings Major Criminal Legal Reforms
If you have been following along with our bill tracker and the more than 500 bills we've been following in the legislature, it won't suprise you that this was a busy session for the ACLU-WV. This legislative session was a difficult one on many ACLU issues, but one area where we've seen real progress and success is in Criminal Legal Reform.
Mar 07, 2020
VICTORY: Bill Passage is Major Step Toward Ending Cash Bail
It’s hard to overstate what a big deal this is. We just took a major step toward ending the predatory system of cash bail in West Virginia.
Mar 07, 2020
VICTORY: Bill Bringing Transparency to Civil Asset Forfeiture Passes
The practice of civil forfeiture allows police to seize — and then keep or sell — any property they allege is involved in a crime. Owners need not ever be arrested or convicted of a crime for their cash, cars, or even real estate to be taken away permanently by the government.
Mar 07, 2020
ACLU-WV to Both Parties: Stop Using Immigrants as Political Bargaining Chips
Immigrants aren’t political bargaining chips. Treating them as such is wrong, no matter who does it.
Mar 05, 2020
HB 2419 Brings Important Reforms Without Amendments
House Bill 2419 provides some much needed reform to West Virginia's pretrial and bail system. While the bill is not a complete fix, and is not intended to be such, the ACLU fully supports this legislation. This is why we find ourselves in the strange position of opposing an amendment that adds a good and important reform.
Mar 04, 2020
House Lets Discrimination Bill Die After Overwhelming Passage in Senate
On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee met for what appears to be the last time this session. Despite strong passage in the Senate, the Crown Act (SB 850) had not been placed on the agenda, which would have seemingly killed the bill. Delegate Fluharty then made a motion to suspend the rules and have the committee hear the bill. That motion required 2/3 of the committee to approve it. It failed by one vote.
Mar 02, 2020
Say NO to Religious Instruction in Public Schools
America is not a Christian nation, but a concerted Christian Nationalist agenda that is taking root here in West Virginia aims to change that.
Feb 28, 2020
ACLU-WV, Toriseva Law File Appeal in Trans Teen's Case
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 | CONTACT: Billy Wolfe [email protected] 304-543-0858CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Today, ACLU-WV and Teresa Toriseva of Toriseva Law filed a notice of appeal on behalf of our client, Michael Critchfield, and his parents, Caroline and Jon Critchfield. Michael is a transgender teenager who was harassed, bullied and degraded by an assistant principal simply for using the boys’ room after school.
Stay Informed
Sign up to be the first to hear about how to take action.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.