Legislation

Unreliable testimony from so-called “jailhouse informants” is a key component of wrongful convictions and a contributing factor to systemic inequality in our criminal legal system. There is a well-documented history of misleading or false information provided by jailhouse…

The ACLU of Kansas opposes HB 2555. Voting should not be made more difficult for Kansans—and striking registered voters from the rolls because of inactivity does just that. This bill would penalize people who don’t vote regularly, forcing them to reregister and potentially…

Imagine someone you know is arrested for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell. They are convicted and sent to prison. Following release and post-release supervision, they are ready to put their mistakes behind them and make different choices. Instead, they find…

Currently, individuals whose property is confiscated under Kansas civil asset forfeiture laws face an uphill battle in retrieving their property from law enforcement. You do not need to be arrested or convicted of a crime for law enforcement to seize and permanently keep your…

Our Secretary of State, Scott Schwab, has consistently defended the integrity of the 2020 elections. In fact, he has said that Kansas is one of the most secure states in terms of preventing election fraud.

The ACLU of Kansas is opposed to HB 2538 for three crucial reasons: the use of two-way electronic communications in this context is a violation of the Sixth Amendment’s Confrontation Clause; “reasonable time” is a vague, immeasurable standard…

The ACLU of Kansas strongly supports HB 2575, requiring criminal records to be automatically expunged in cases of acquittal or dismissal. A criminal record of any kind impacts your life long after charges are dismissed. These impacts, outlined below, constrain individual’s ability…

The ACLU of Kansas supports HB 2557, prohibiting the denial of expungement due to a juvenile’s inability to pay fines and fees. Involvement in the criminal legal system can lead to thousands of dollars in debt. For adults, this is a heavy burden—for young people…

Poverty should not be a barrier to justice. Based on this premise, the ACLU of Kansas strongly supports HB 2556, prohibiting the denial of expungement due to inability to pay fines and fees.