Court Vacancies Don’t Just Impact The Law. They Impact Our Lives.

State courts are more important than ever. But current vacancies on New Jersey's Supreme Court and our lower courts affect us all, whether expanding constitutional rights or sorting out custody.

By Alexander Shalom

"Open" sign in front of the U.S. Supreme COurt

We’ve Called for a Total Ban on the Use of Facial Recognition by Law Enforcement – Here’s Why

Facial recognition technology, like many kinds of automated decision systems used by the government, can worsen racial inequity, limit our civil rights and liberties, and deprive people of fundamental fairness. We're investigating.

By Dillon Reisman

An illustration of a group of people standing against a city backdrop, with boxes framed around their faces, as if they're being targeted by surveillance.

The Countdown Begins to Make Equitable Cannabis Industry Possible

New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission, the agency tasked with putting policies in place to carry out legalization, has unique power to make our state’s cannabis market equitable, inclusive, and accessible. We have until September 30 to make sure their final regulations use that power fully.

By Ami Kachalia

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New Jersey Relies on an Algorithm to Determine Benefits for Survivors of Domestic Violence – But Should It Be Used at All?

Domestic violence survivors in New Jersey are eligible for special public benefits to assist in their escape and recovery from abuse. But who decides if a domestic violence survivor will be awarded those benefits? To make that determination, New Jersey turns to an algorithm.

By Dillon Reisman

An illustration of a woman who is sitting at a table with scattered papers in front of her. She is resting her head in her hands, in distress,

To Fight a Stacked Federal Bench, the ACLU Goes to the States

As federal courts grow more hostile to civil rights and civil liberties, the ACLU turns to state courts — building on a century of experience.

Stars on the American flag.

How the Government Relies on Algorithms to Allocate Healthcare Benefits – and Why These Secret Formulas Threaten Patients’ Fundamental Rights

When faced with important health care decisions, we often turn to doctors, service providers, family, and friends. But today, another actor plays a growing role in those decisions as the government and insurance companies increasingly lean on algorithms to allocate health care we need.

an illustration with a yellow background and text that reads: Medicaid Algorithms. A group of three people, including a person sitting down in a wheelchair is at the foreground. On the right, there is a collage of pills, syringe, and a medical toolbox.

Lawmakers Must Do Their Part and Expand Abortion Access for New Jerseyans

New Jersey lawmakers can bolster abortion access amid the national post-Dobbs crisis, but it requires immediate action and bold leadership. S2918/A4350, currently before the Legislature, would expand access to abortion for New Jerseyans regardless of their insurance, immigration status or income.

By Alejandra Sorto, Roxanne Sutocky

Pro-abortion signage in front of the Supreme Court.

For Trenton’s Summer Sessions, There’s a Special Responsibility to Expand Abortion Access

Lawmakers in Trenton are reconvening beginning Monday, Aug. 8, with the aim of tackling pending issues on their agenda, focusing in particular on seating a backlog of judicial nominees. A fundamental issue demands immediate action as they reconvene: the expansion of access to abortion.

By Jim Sullivan, Alejandra Sorto

A group of masked protesters are holding signs that read: "Abortion access for all" and "Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is a right."

Why the ACLU-NJ's Automated Injustice Project is Investigating Government Algorithms and their Effect on all New Jerseyans

Through our Automated Injustice Project, we’ve begun investigating a few instances when the New Jersey government has deployed algorithms and automated decision systems that impact our lives and wellbeing. Learn more about our investigation.

A collage of a scale of justice balancing binary codes, an image of a black man being scanned by facial recognition technology, a stethescope, a stack of books and an apple