NonprofitACLU of Arkansas
904 West 2nd Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201
Because Freedom Can't Protect Itself.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arkansas (legally incorporated as the Arkansas Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Inc.) is the state's premier non-profit legal and advocacy organization dedicated to defending the Bill of Rights. Known for its aggressive litigation against government overreach, the organization is a powerhouse in holding law enforcement accountable through the federal and state court systems.
The ACLU of Arkansas operates as a high-impact litigation engine, specifically targeting systemic failures within the criminal justice system. Unlike general practice firms, the ACLU focuses on cases that establish broad legal precedents, often taking on the most powerful police departments and state agencies in Arkansas. By filing civil rights lawsuits under Section 1983, the ACLU of Arkansas exposes patterns of racial profiling, excessive force, and illegal surveillance.
Beyond the courtroom, the ACLU of Arkansas serves as a critical watchdog, lobbying for legislative reforms that end qualified immunity and increase transparency, securing significant victories that create a financial and reputational deterrent against the abuse of power.
Notable Results
- Major class action against Arkansas Post-Prison Transfer Board challenging unconstitutional parole practices (February 2026)
- Successfully intervened to protect citizen ballot initiatives from restrictive state laws (2026)
- Fason v. Hamlet: Federal judge granted class certification and preliminary injunction challenging Arkansas parole system for denying due process (February 2026)
- Ten Commandments Lawsuit: Federal court blocked Act 573 requiring display of Ten Commandments in public school classrooms and libraries, citing religious freedom protections
- Ballot Initiative Protections: Settlement with Town of Rose Bud ensuring the town cannot block canvassing for ballot initiatives on public property
- Filed federal lawsuit on behalf of Gregory Holt alleging retaliatory transfer to dangerous out-of-state facility for his legal advocacy
- Seven-figure settlements involving unconstitutional police practices
- Landmark settlements in wrongful deaths in custody cases
- Exoneration of individuals wrongfully convicted due to police and prosecutorial misconduct
- Structural injunctions against unconstitutional police practices
Key Characteristics
- Targets broad state policies not just individual incidents
- Prisoner Rights Leaders: Litigates retaliatory transfer of jailhouse litigators and denial of due process within the Arkansas Department of Corrections
- Monitors 500+ bills nationwide
- Active in federal courts on high-stakes constitutional issues
- High-impact litigation
- Constitutional expertise
- Policy advocacy
- Qualified immunity reform advocacy
- Legislative lobbying for police transparency