How Does the ACLU of North Dakota Choose Cases?
The ACLU of North Dakota is a private, non-profit organization that principally addresses issues involving challenges to a government law, policy or practice affecting the constitutional rights that is, the civil liberties and civil rights of a significant number of people arising only in the state of North Dakota. Almost all of our cases involve constitutional issues and because the United States Constitution and North Dakota Constitution protect only against unlawful government action, we rarely take on disputes involving private companies.
Generally, the ACLU of North Dakota only takes on issues that can affect a large number of people directly or involving a small number of people or an individual that could set a precedent that would impact a significant number of people. We are especially interested in issues that may break new ground in interpreting constitutional rights.
Issues that the ACLU of North Dakota Generally Does NOT Accept
We do not generally take issues that involve:
• individual criminal defense;
• complaints about an individuals attorney in a criminal case;
• claims of innocence by prisoners;
• individual employment disputes;
• disputes involving private companies;
• landlord-tenant disputes;
• obtaining green cards/visas for immigrants; and
• only monetary damages.
Important Note About Deadlines
All legal claims have time deadlines. The deadlines may be different depending on who violated your rights and which 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 have their own time deadlines. If you do not comply with the applicable statute of limitations, you may be legally barred from pursuing your claim in court. Contacting the ACLU to describe your problem does not mean that the ACLU represents you, and will not stop the statute of limitations from running.
Contacting the ACLU to describe your problem does not mean that the ACLU represents you, nor does it stop the statute of limitations from running. The ACLU cannot give you advice about the deadlines that apply to your case. To protect your rights, please consult an attorney promptly to find out what deadlines may apply to your case.
The ACLU cannot give you advice about the deadlines that apply to your case. To protect your rights, please consult a private attorney promptly to find out what deadline may apply in your case. The phone number for the State Bar Association's Lawyer Information and Referral Service is (701) 255-1404.
Submitting Your Request
If you believe your issue meets the above criteria, you may request assistance by completing a legal intake form. If we are able to assist you, we will contact you. Otherwise, you will not hear from us. Phone calls about the status of your complaint will not be returned.