Suffolk NYCLU > Step One: About Legal Requests

The Suffolk NYCLU is dedicated to the defense of civil liberties. If you feel that your civil liberties have been violated, you may submit a written request for legal assistance. However, before you submit a complaint, we ask that you understand the process we use for evaluation and the types of cases that we accept.

Step One: About Civil Liberties

Civil Liberties include the freedoms guaranteed by the US and New York State Constitutions. Some examples of these liberties are freedom of speech, freedom of association, equal protection under the law and access to the courts or counsel. The NYCLU handles cases where these liberties have been violated, usually by the government. Here are some examples of cases that we would handle:

Freedom of Speech and Expression
-An organization is denied permit for a protest in a public forum
-A student is suspended for wearing an anti-war tee-shirt.
Equal Protection
-Racial profiling by law enforcement
-Housing discrimination against minorities.
Religious Liberty
-Town places religious displays on public property or circulates religious material.
Access to Courts or Counsel
-Denial of attorney to arrested persons.

Go to Step Two: If you feel that your case involves a violation of civil liberties,
we encourage you to submit your complaint to us by clicking here