Extreme Trial Penalties Are Deeply Unjust – Categorical Clemency Can Bring Justice

No one should be punished for exercising their constitutional right to a fair trial. As Governor Murphy considers categories of people to grant a chance at freedom, it’s imperative to include those who are serving extreme trial penalties.

By Rebecca Uwakwe

Barbed wire with blue sky and clouds in background

Governors Are Sitting on a Critical Tool to Reduce Incarceration and Uplift Communities

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) just issued a major executive order that gives incarcerated people a chance at freedom.

By Amol Sinha

ACLU-NJ Executive Director shakes hands with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy at the Clemency Executive Order Announcement.

How Categorical Clemency Can Begin to Address the Harms Faced by Incarcerated Survivors of Domestic Violence

For the criminal legal system to administer justice, it’s clear that it must move away from extreme punishment and toward solutions that prioritize each individual’s experience.

By Rebecca Uwakwe

Barbed Wire + Sunset

How Face Recognition Technology Landed One Innocent Man in New Jersey Jail for Ten Days

We're calling for a total ban on law enforcement use of face recognition technology.

By Dillon Reisman

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2023 in Review – And How We Can Achieve Even More in 2024

As we aim for greater progress in the new year, it’s important to take stock of this year’s accomplishments. Here’s our snapshot of the legislative wins, stalemates, and hopes for civil rights in New Jersey.

By Sarah Fajardo

Group of women with protest signs

How Our Pioneering Legal Practice Advances Civil Rights Before the State’s Highest Court

ACLU-NJ Director of Supreme Court Advocacy Alexander Shalom makes his 100th argument before the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Three people standing in front of ballons of the number 100 in an office conference room

Categorical Clemency: A Beacon of Hope in an Unjust Criminal Legal System

New Jersey has a moral responsibility to address its history of mass incarceration and racism by offering more opportunities for release. Categorical clemency offers a powerful way to do so.

Open doors in a prison.

On Book Bans and Censorship: a Q&A with Martha Hickson, 2023 NJ Librarian of the Year

Even though New Jersey has been a national leader in protecting and expanding civil rights and liberties, there have been censorship attempts across the state this year.

By Elyla Huertas

white Woman in a white and green tshirt holding a mircophone and a book addressing a crowd in a bookstore

Pretextual Traffic Stops are Unconstitutional and Life-Threatening – Lawmakers Must Act

In New Jersey, pretextual stops continue at a staggering rate, putting officers and motorists at dangerous odds, despite the majority of traffic stops doing little to contribute to public safety.

By Karen Thompson

Cop car with lights flashing at night