NonprofitACLU of Louisiana
P.O. Box 56157, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130
Louisiana Civil Rights Legal Advocates
The ACLU of Louisiana Justice Lab is a litigation-focused initiative of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, dedicated to challenging systemic civil rights violations through strategic lawsuits and legal advocacy. The Justice Lab operates as a specialized unit within the ACLU of Louisiana, targeting cases that expose unconstitutional policing, unlawful incarceration, and government abuses that disproportionately affect Black and low-income communities across the state.
The Justice Lab has been at the forefront of challenging police misconduct, excessive force, and unlawful arrests by Louisiana law enforcement agencies. The unit pursues high-impact litigation designed not only to secure relief for individual clients but to drive systemic change within police departments and government institutions throughout Louisiana. Their work has addressed issues ranging from unconstitutional stops and searches to brutal use-of-force incidents and wrongful convictions.
Operating under the broader ACLU of Louisiana umbrella, the Justice Lab leverages decades of civil rights litigation experience to hold law enforcement accountable. The organization has taken on cases involving parish jails, municipal police departments, and state agencies, consistently seeking to dismantle policies and practices that violate constitutional rights. Their work complements advocacy and public education efforts to create lasting reform in Louisiana's criminal legal system.
The Justice Lab represents a commitment by the ACLU of Louisiana to expand direct legal services for individuals harmed by state and local government misconduct. By combining impact litigation with community engagement, the Justice Lab works to ensure that vulnerable Louisianans have access to legal representation and that those who violate civil rights are held accountable in court.
Notable Results
- Since launch, filed over 50 lawsuits against law enforcement agencies across Louisiana
- Secured numerous confidential settlements and judicial rulings weakening qualified immunity protections in Louisiana
- Secured over $1.4 million in settlements and awards for clients as of 2026
- Secured 34+ victories against qualified immunity challenges in conservative courts
- Tapps v. McClendon: Secured a significant settlement against the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for the unconstitutional seizure of a pregnant woman that led to premature labor
- Danks v. City of Kenner: Won a rare ruling allowing a 'failure to train' claim to proceed to trial against a city department with a history of surface-level internal investigations
Key Characteristics
- Operates as a dedicated litigation unit within the ACLU of Louisiana focused exclusively on high-impact civil rights cases against law enforcement and government entities.
- Pursues systemic reform through strategic lawsuits targeting unconstitutional policing practices that disproportionately harm Black and low-income communities in Louisiana.
- Combines direct legal representation with broader advocacy efforts to challenge and dismantle abusive policies within Louisiana's criminal legal system.
- Handles cases involving excessive force, unlawful arrests, jail conditions, and wrongful convictions at the municipal, parish, and state levels throughout Louisiana.
- Works in collaboration with national ACLU resources and networks to bring cutting-edge civil rights litigation strategies to Louisiana courts.