General Civil Liberties

General Civil Liberties

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Covid-19 Rapid Response

The ACLU of Ohio is very concerned about the impact of COVID-19, aka coronavirus, in Ohio's prisons, jails, youth, and ICE detention facilities and how it may and will affect people locked up in these locations.

The ACLU of Ohio is very concerned about the impact of COVID-19, aka coronavirus, in Ohio's prisons, jails, youth, and ICE detention facilities and how it may and will affect people locked up in these locations.

We recognize it is frequently difficult for incarcerated individuals to report problems behind bars to those outside. With COVID-19, we understand it will be even more difficult. For that reason, we encourage families, loved ones, facility staff and others to report to us problems they are aware of, concerns, and observations using [email protected]. Our plan is to use this information to most effectively advocate for those incarcerated and identify trends so we can protect the civil liberties of all. (Please note: e-mailing [email protected] does not offer or guarantee legal representation or advice. If you are seeking legal assistance, please submit a complaint for review through our Need Legal Help page.) Link to Department of Rehabilitation and Correction information about current visitation policies plus DRC’s own phone number and email regarding COVID-19 concerns can be found here.

The ACLU of Ohio is very concerned about the impact of COVID-19, aka coronavirus, in Ohio's prisons, jails, youth, and ICE detention facilities and how it may and will affect people locked up in these locations.

We recognize it is frequently difficult for incarcerated individuals to report problems behind bars to those outside. With COVID-19, we understand it will be even more difficult. For that reason, we encourage families, loved ones, facility staff and others to report to us problems they are aware of, concerns, and observations using [email protected]. Our plan is to use this information to most effectively advocate for those incarcerated and identify trends so we can protect the civil liberties of all. (Please note: e-mailing [email protected] does not offer or guarantee legal representation or advice. If you are seeking legal assistance, please submit a complaint for review through our Need Legal Help page.) Link to Department of Rehabilitation and Correction information about current visitation policies plus DRC’s own phone number and email regarding COVID-19 concerns can be found here.

COVID-19 in Prisons, Jails, & Youth facilities
Recent efforts on criminal justice and transparency:

COVID-19 & Immigration Detention

Recent efforts in immigration detention:

COVID-19 & Voting Rights
Recent efforts on voting rights:

COVID-19 & Abortion
Recent efforts on abortion rights:

COVID-19 Related Efforts

For a list of actions taken by other organizations, please visit our Partner Action page.

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Mayor's Courts

Mayor's courts are local courts that hear traffic and local ordinance violations. They are relics of the past – only Ohio and Louisiana still have them.

What are mayor's courts? Mayor's courts are local courts that hear traffic and local ordinance violations. They are relics of the past – only Ohio and Louisiana still have them.

What's the problem with mayor's courts? Mayor's courts are geared toward making money rather than delivering justice. In 2016, municipalities with mayor's courts issued one out of every six traffic tickets in Ohio. Unlike municipal courts, mayor's courts are not courts of record, which means there are no audio recordings or transcripts of what happens in mayor's courts. This lack of transparency and accountability creates a breeding ground for coercive tactics used to collect fines and fees. To make matters worse, mayors or magistrates who hear cases in mayor's court are only required to have six hours of training per year, and even less in some cases.

The ACLU is committed to making mayor’s courts fair, transparent, and accountable to the public.

To learn more about mayor's courts and to view our billboard in Bratenahl, Ohio, visit our mayor's courts videos page.

Mayor's Courts in Ohio Cities

DISCLAIMER – The information on this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Every case depends on the specific facts and circumstances involved. To submit a complaint for review, please go to our Legal Help page.

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Lameduck 2024: Overview + Resources

Every even-year election, as lawmakers prepare for the next General Assembly, we enter the “Lameduck period,” taking place between Election Day and the start of the new session.