News & Commentary

This is a tough thread to write. Federal public defense is facing devastating budget cuts for FY 2024, following House and Senate appropriation marks. If unchanged, we will be seriously underfunded. Nationally, this could mean losing 10 to 12% of on-board staff. 1/10

The ACLU has argued that, in practice, the "Kansas Two-Step" has been part of an abuse of traffic stops targeting out-of-state motorists, notably those from Colorado, where recreational marijuana was legalized in 2012.

The ACLU of Kansas has argued that, in practice, this has been part of an abuse of traffic stops targeting out-of-state motorists, notably those from Colorado, where recreational marijuana was legalized in 2012.

The ACLU of Kansas has sued Kansas Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Herman Jones on behalf of motorists over the “two step” and are seeking a court order blocking the agency from using it.

A trial is underway that could put a stop to a law enforcement tactic known as the "Kansas Two-Step," which appears to target people from states where cannabis is legal.

The ACLU has argued KHP continues to rely on out-of-state license plates or travel plans to justify detaining a driver for a K-9 search of their vehicle, despite the Tenth Circuit’s holding in 2016 in Vasquez v. Lewis.

Aileen Berquist, a lobbyist for the ACLU of Kansas said the policy — which grants wide discretion to judges — is likely to hold a disproportionate impact on children of color, who are already more likely to face harsh punishments than their white counterparts.

Aileen Berquist, a lobbyist for the ACLU of Kansas said the policy — which grants wide discretion to judges — is likely to hold a disproportionate impact on children of color, who are already more likely to face harsh punishments than their white counterparts.

The ACLU argues troopers target motorists with out-of-state license plates or those traveling to or from Colorado, where recreational marijuana is legal, despite prior court rulings that aimed to restrict how troopers factor a vehicle’s origin or destination into their reasonable suspicion.