News & Commentary

It has been a long road to passing critical legislation that sets the course for reforming Michigan’s unjust criminal legal system, which senselessly puts far too many people behind bars, especially Black and brown people.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Daniel Jackson, djackson@aclumich.orgDETROIT, Mich. – The American Civil Liberties Union o

For most of my life I paid little attention to our criminal legal system. Like most Americans, I naively believed that the system was equitable, with people who commit crimes getting what they rightly deserve at the hands of prosecutors dedicated to pursuing justice in a way that is fair.  Now that my family has 

With lives hanging in the balance, time is running out for the Michigan Legislature to pass a bill desperately needed to protect people throughout the state—especially during a global pandemic.  

At a time when American politics seems defined by partisan rancor and deep divide, Michigan’s lame-duck Legislature has the rare opportunity to come together and significantly improve all of our lives by getting 18 critically important pieces of legislation, commonly referred to as the “Smart Justice” reform package, across the finish line. With just days left this session, the race is on to get these bills, which have bipartisan support, passed and on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk. There are two reasons for this urgency. One, signing them into law will do a world of good to improve our criminal legal system, especially for the communities of color and poor people disproportionately being harmed by it.  

Earlier this month, as I was standing with my right hand raised and swearing an oath of allegiance to the United States, one of the many thoughts racing through my mind was how dangerously close I came to never realizing this lifelong dream of being an American citizen. 

The ongoing fight to free people from immigration detention during COVID  

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (ACLU) commends Oakland County voters for embracing the ACLU’s Smart Justice campaign goals, which include ending mass incarceration and advancing racial justice in the criminal legal system.  Karen McDonald defeated Republican candidate Lin Goetz.  

In an unprecedented year, it’s only natural that we have an unprecedented election. It’s the first in our lifetimes to occur during a global pandemic, and one in which an unprecedented number of ballots will be cast after being mailed to voters.