The ACLU of Michigan files lawsuits that impact people’s rights by setting a legal precedent, or affecting the policies and actions of public officials. Our current Fall 2023 Legal Docket details our legal cases and actions taken in 2022-2023.
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Feb 26, 2014
Public School Seeks Teachers for “Christian Setting”
Student Rights
Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan legislature created the Educational Achievement Authority (EAA) to educate students in the lowest performing schools in the state.
In February 2014, the EAA...
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Feb 6, 2014
Michigan Cities Cannot Ban Medical Marijuana
Drug Policy
In 2008 the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA) was approved by an overwhelming majority of Michigan voters, including significant majorities in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Livonia and Wyoming.
...
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Jan 14, 2014
Standing Up for Peaceful Puppy Mill Protesters
Free Speech
Pam Sordyl leads “Puppy Mill Awareness,” a group of concerned citizens who peacefully demonstrate on public property near pet stores to educate the public about the mistreatment of dogs in the commercial...
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Dec 20, 2013
Actual Innocence
Criminal Justice
Once a criminal defendant loses an appeal, there are certain circumstances under which he or she can invoke to go back to the trial court and seek relief by filing a “motion for relief from judgment.”...
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Nov 25, 2013
City Clerk Leads Mandatory Prayer for Poll Workers
Religious Liberty
Detroit poll workers contacted the ACLU of Michigan to complain that Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey was leading denominational prayers during mandatory training sessions before the August 2013 primary...
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Sep 24, 2013
Registered as a Child Abuser Without a Hearing
Criminal Justice
Michigan’s Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect is supposed to protect children by ensuring that individuals who are a threat to children do not work with kids or serve as foster parents.