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 2024 Legal Docket details our legal cases and actions taken in 2023-2024.
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Nov 18, 2015
Age Discrimination at Movie Theater
Due Process
The Emagine movie theater in Birmingham wanted to create an “upscale” atmosphere. After an incident in which a group of teenagers became loud during a movie and were asked to leave, the theater’s owner...
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Nov 4, 2015
Unemployment Benefits for Medical Marijuana Patients
Drug Policy
When Rick Braska was required by his employer to take a drug test, the results came back positive for traces of marijuana. Mr. Braska was immediately fired under the employer’s “zero tolerance” policy—even...
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Oct 28, 2015
The Heckler’s Veto
Religious Liberty
When someone exercises their First Amendment right to free speech, the government is not allowed to shut down the speech just because other people don’t like the message that is being conveyed. This is...
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Oct 21, 2015
Mass Suspension of Student Athletes
Student Rights
In the wake of an on-field brawl that involved only some members of the football teams of Detroit’s Cody and Martin Luther King High Schools, school officials summarily suspended all players on the teams’...
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Oct 5, 2015
Mike’s Hard Lemonade Case
Due Process
Christopher Ratté, a University of Michigan professor, took his 7-year-old son, Leo, to a Detroit Tigers game in Comerica Park. Before they took their seats, Christopher purchased what he thought was...
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Sep 29, 2015
Prison Health Care on Trial
Prisoners' Rights
In a longstanding ACLU lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), a federal judge strongly criticized its failure to provide adequate medical and mental health care.