Pending

The ACLU remains concerned about the significant expansion of Baltimore City's youth curfew, which has been passed by the City Council and signed by the Mayor.
 
As you know, many organizations raised questions and concerns about the proposal and developed an alternate plan, noting that:
 
·      Putting all youth under virtual house arrest enforced by police is more likely to criminalize youth than keep them safe or out of trouble
 
·      There are better ways to support youth and families than putting all youth under virtual house arrest,
 
·      The law will increase negative interactions between Baltimore police, youth, and their families even when youth are not in danger or doing anything wrong, and is likely to be enforced disproportionately against youth of color
 
The ACLU's Legal Department is monitoring the City's implementation of the law. Those negatively affected by the curfew can call our Civil Rights Complaint Line at 443-524-2558.    

• Maryland Public Information Act request to Baltimore officials 080614
• ACLU letter to Baltimore officials 080614
• Press Release: ACLU Seeks Answers to Unanswered Questions about Baltimore's Expanded Curfew Plans
• Press Release: ACLU Raises Concerns with Far-Reaching Youth Curfew Proposal in Baltimore City
• Read the ACLU of Maryland letter to the Baltimore City Council.

The Town of Ocean City is once again blocking performers from entertaining visitors on the Boardwalk. The ACLU of Maryland is challenging an unconstitutional noise ordinance that has been silencing musicians. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Baltimore, is brought on behalf of William Hassay, Jr., an accomplished violinist who has played for families on the Boardwalk for nearly two decades.  With the summer season fast approaching, the suit seeks a preliminary injunction to suspend enforcement of the ordinance while the case is under review.

Let Bill Hassay play violin on the Ocean City Boardwalk

%3Ciframe%20allow%3D%22autoplay%3B%20encrypted-media%22%20allowfullscreen%3D%22%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube-nocookie.com%2Fembed%2FLluvN1fMY2M%3Frel%3D0%26amp%3Bcontrols%3D0%26amp%3Bshowinfo%3D0%26autoplay%3D1%26version%3D3%26playsinline%3D1%22%20width%3D%22560%22%3E%3C%2Fiframe%3E

Privacy statement. This embed will serve content from youtube-nocookie.com.

Chagrined that once again the Town of Ocean City is blocking performers from entertaining visitors on the Boardwalk, the ACLU of Maryland is challenging an unconstitutional noise ordinance that has been silencing musicians. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Baltimore, is brought on behalf of William Hassay, Jr., an accomplished violinist who has played for families on the Boardwalk for nearly two decades.

• Legal complaint filed against Ocean City officials
• Report by Gary Ehrlich, independent acoustical engineer
• Hassay affidavit
• Motion for preliminary injunction
• ACLU reply brief in support of motion for preliminary injunction
• Gary Ehrlich supplement declaration 

INFORMATION:

• Video of Bill Hassay Jr. telling his story
• Video by Boardwalk patron who enjoys Hassay's performances

 

%3Ciframe%20allow%3D%22autoplay%3B%20encrypted-media%22%20allowfullscreen%3D%22%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube-nocookie.com%2Fembed%2FGgHjJWDNLg4%3Frel%3D0%26amp%3Bcontrols%3D0%26amp%3Bshowinfo%3D0%26autoplay%3D1%26version%3D3%26playsinline%3D1%22%20width%3D%22560%22%3E%3C%2Fiframe%3E

Privacy statement. This embed will serve content from youtube-nocookie.com.

 

Concerned that state prosecutors are getting paid to allow private companies to issue official threats of prosecution, which pressure individuals into paying those companies "program fees" to avoid criminal charges, the ACLU of Maryland and national ACLU filed public records requests seeking details about these so-called "private prosecution programs."

The Maryland Public Information Act request was sent to state's attorneys in 12 Maryland counties  -- Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, Talbot, and Washington -- who appear to have contracts with CorrectiveSolutions to operate such programs.

1/14/13 press release: ACLU Questions State's Attorneys About Authorizing Private Companies to Threaten Prosecution For Profit

MPIA requests to 12 Maryland counties (PDF) 

Corrective Solutions

New York Times: "In Prosecutors, Debt Collectors Find a Partner" 9/15/12