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How the ACLU of Wyoming Accepts Cases
Thank you for your initial interest in the American Civil Liberties Union of Wyoming about your complaint. Please read the information below carefully to find out the kinds of complaints we handle. If we need more information, we will contact you. We will let you know whether we can offer you assistance. Please be patient as there may be some delay due to the overwhelming number of requests we receive.
The ACLU is a private, non-profit organization which seeks to preserve and defend certain constitutional principles, most of which are found in the Bill of Rights. Civil liberties issues arise when federal, state or local government entities deny you a right protected by the Wyoming or the U.S. Constitution. The cases we accept present significant constitutional issues and have a favorable chance for success in setting legal precedents that have impact beyond individual or organizational circumstances. Even if your case implicates a civil liberties issue, due to organizational constraints and priorities, we cannot promise help everyone who requests our assistance. If you would like assistance from the ACLU of Wyoming, please keep reading.
How Do We Select Cases?
The ACLU generally files cases that affect the civil liberties of large numbers of people, rather than those involving a dispute between two parties. The basic questions we ask when reviewing a potential case are:
- Is this a significant civil liberties issue?
- What effect will this case have on people other than the parties involved?
- Do we have the necessary resources to take this case?
What Are Civil Liberties?
The civil liberties we seek to protect include:
- Freedom of Speech and Press For example: a student is suspended for writing a newspaper article critical of the principal; a police officer is disciplined for speaking out against police brutality; a group is charged for police protection when it applies for a demonstration permit.
- Freedom of Religion: This involves both the right of individuals to religious beliefs and the separation of church and state.
- Freedom of Privacy: For example, illegal search and seizures (warrantless searches).
- Equal Protection/Discrimination: For example, a sheriff's department which refuses to accept women deputies; a refusal to allow homeless people to vote because they have no fixed addresses.
- Due Process: For example, a community group is denied a permit by the police and the town provides no appeal of the police decision.
What Cases Affect Others?
Lawsuits can affect a large number of people in two ways. First, we sometimes challenge a policy or practice which directly impacts upon many people. Second, a lawsuit brought on behalf of one person can have a larger impact on others in the long run when it establishes or expands legal protections. For example, a lawsuit challenging drug testing of one employee, if successful, could set a precedent for thousands of workers in the future.
How Can I Ask for Help?
The ACLU of Wyoming does not accept requests for assistance by phone or in person. To request help, you may send a complaint by mail or by email.
By email: acluwy@aclu.org
By mail: P.O. Box 20706, Cheyenne, WY 82003
What Information Should I Include in My Complaint?
Please be sure to include your name, address, phone number, email address, and the following information:
- What right has been violated?
- When was this right violated?
- Who has violated this right?
- What steps have been taken to resolve the issue?
- What remedy are you seeking?
- How, specifically, can the ACLU of Wyoming be of assistance?
Note: We only accept complaints regarding civil liberties violations that occurred in Wyoming. If you are seeking assistance for a problem that occurred in another state, please click here for a national directory of ACLU offices.
The Types of Cases the ACLU Generally Cannot Accept
We tend to take cases which do not involve complicated disputes of fact, but prefer to take cases where the issue is a question of law. Facts are considered to be in dispute whenever you have one version of what happened and the other party(s) has a different view. An example of a factual dispute is an employment discrimination case where the employer claims he fired the employee because of poor job performance and has credible evidence to support that claim. The types of cases we do not accept include:
- An individual was fired without a good reason or just cause.
- An individual is being denied benefits such as worker's compensation or unemployment benefits.
- Criminal cases or complaints about a person's attorney in a criminal case. Only in limited cases, for example when a person is being prosecuted for engaging in activity protected by the Constitution (such as participating in a political demonstration), do we consider accepting criminal cases.
- Child custody/support or divorce cases.
- Private civil disputes including contractual matters.
Important Note About Deadlines
All legal claims have time deadlines. The deadlines may be different depending on who violated your rights and depending on what rights were violated. For some kinds of violations, you may need to file a claim with a government agency before you can sue, and these agencies usually have their own time deadlines. The ACLU cannot give you advice about the deadlines that apply to your case. To protect your rights, please consult with an attorney promptly to find out what deadlines apply in your case.