Resource Library
This document is updated regularly to include the latest federal and state caselaw from across the country discussing racial justice issues.
From the introduction: “In response to the re-election of Trump and expected increasing attacks on immigrant communities, we have developed this live toolkit to help guide and support the work of organizations and individuals looking to fight detention expansion, support people in detention and fight deportations. Organizations and individuals should assess their capacity and determine…
From the Introduction: “On January 28, 2025, the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law (the Center) held a training on 4th Amendment Rights for Organizations to help empower advocates and organizations that support and work alongside immigrants so they can better protect themselves throughout the fight ahead. By shoring up best practices and preparation…
From the Introduction: “Although California needs to make major improvements to its indigent defense system, the most overdue and pressing starting point is to ban flat-fee contracts. In this report, we explore why many California counties rely on flat-fee contracts, analyze recent contracts in counties that do not have a dedicated public defender’s office, and…
On February 12, 2025, the Gault Center hosted a youth defense and immigration round table, an opportunity for youth defense advocates and immigration experts to share information and advice on how to navigate the current landscape of immigration actions against youth and families. This tip sheet compiles the advice and resources that were shared during…
The Gault Center released a virtual appearance checklist to guide youth defenders through key considerations before seeking a virtual appearance of their client as a youth defense strategy. In recognition that there may be unique circumstances in which a young person may feel safer or more comfortable waiving their physical presence in court, this resource…
From the abstract: “This Essay draws on empirical research to compose a sketch of the criminal legal systems of several sparsely populated counties in central and eastern Washington State. The study reveals how, at times, the dearth of attorneys available to do the work of prosecuting and defending criminal cases is subjecting system-involved individuals to…
From the introduction: “Morris Mullins pled guilty to aggravated murder and was sentenced to life without parole (LWOP). Because he was seventeen years old when he committed the crime, this is a juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentence. Now, at age forty and having already spent more than two decades in prison, Mullins challenges his…
From the introduction: “This is a moment to organize, educate, and mobilize. Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or an advocate, you have a role to play in protecting all students. This action kit is designed to equip educators, parents, and community leaders with the knowledge, resources, and strategies to safeguard immigrant students from the…
From the Abstract: In Maine, there is no such thing as a child too young to be prosecuted. Maine’s Juvenile Code grants the juvenile court jurisdiction over a child of any age, even one who would have been considered too young to prosecute in the fifteenth century. As of 2024, just over half of states…
