News & Commentary

Did you know that Idaho has the 11th highest incarceration rate in the country but a continually decreasing crime rate? The ACLU of Idaho wants to partner with you to recreate the criminal justice system. Check out DJ’s story on our blog and make an investment in changing our broken justice system.I know the ACLU helps many people in my situation, although I did not know about it until it was too late for me.My name is DJ. I have been convicted of a felony and was appointed a public defender after my arrest, but they didn’t have time to represent me in our broken system. After struggling with alternative sentencing and lack of representation, I was sentenced and spent six months in prison.I feel that an alternative program should replace the court and prison system for relatively minor crimes such as mine. For example, I attended Life’s Kitchen in Boise in order to move into the working world. The truth is that prisons do not rehabilitate people. Programs such as Life’s Kitchen do. When someone goes from a life of crime to trying to lead a law-abiding life they often fail because they have no real work experience or the resources for help.This is what happened to me back when I was younger so I felt I had no choice but to do illegal activities to make money. Because of my inability to pay for a lawyer, I didn’t get represented in our broken justice system. Prison did nothing to help me see that what I did was wrong. These two factors forced me farther into the criminal world. After going through an alternative program, I have been doing great and I sincerely believe the system should give felons a chance at programs instead of condemning them to a long probation period with prison time hanging over their heads if they miss a single requirement of probation.I know that the ACLU is working to make conditions more just for people like me.Inspired by DJ's story? Invest in changing the broken criminal justice system. 

Coalition Presents Constitutional Challenge To Law That Silences Industry Whistle-BlowersBOISE, Idaho – Today, a broad-based public interest coalition of national nonprofits, including the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho (ACLU), and Center for Food Safety (CFS), filed a motion for summary judgment in their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Idaho’s “ag gag” statute. The coalition argues that they are entitled to judgment in their favor because the statute—Idaho Code sec. 18-7042—violates their right to free speech and other rights protected by the U.S. Constitution. As a matter of law, this statute cannot withstand legal scrutiny.

Student seeks apology and policy changes to prevent future wrong-doing to studentsDeclo, ID—Today Declo High School student Sierra Norman and her mother Janeil Norman filed a civil rights complaint against Declo High School with the Cassia County Joint School District. The complaint seeks to remedy violations of Sierra’s rights by the school district for failing to protect her against discrimination based on religion and sex. The ACLU of Idaho is representing Sierra and her mother.

BOISE, Idaho—The ACLU of Idaho extends heartfelt congratulations to same-sex couples newly wedded today, and those who now are legally recognized as married in Idaho. It’s a beautiful day in the state as we join in celebrating this historic moment where fundamental civil rights are acknowledged for a class of individuals to whom this right was denied for so long. Idaho can now mark this October 15th, 2014 as the start of a new chapter in our history and we are all better because of it.

Dear Mayor Bieter and Council Members:

ACLU launches online interactive learning tool for school children to learn about the Constitution

Case Moves Forward to Challenge State Law That Silences Factory Farm Whistle-Blowers

Unnecessary solitary confinement of adolescent amounts to punishment before conviction, ACLU brief contendsBoise, Idaho—On Friday, July 21, 2014 the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho Foundation (ACLU) filed documents in District Court in Kootenai County in support of a petition by the County Public Defender’s office to end the solitary confinement of fifteen-year old Eldon Samuel III, who has been held in isolation in an adult jail while awaiting trial. Eldon, who recently turned fifteen, has been in isolation for more than 70 days in a makeshift child isolation cell near the Kootenai County adult jail’s booking area. The cell’s windows are covered with dark blinds, limiting his access to any natural light or viewing outside his cinderblock cell. He is allowed out only for showers, exercise on a cement slab, and religious and attorney visits.

Court of Appeals Agrees to Expedite Case over Telephone Records CollectionCOEUR D'ALENE, Idaho – The American Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have announced they will join Anna Smith’s legal team in her challenge of the government’s bulk collection of the telephone records of millions of innocent Americans.