American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa

1. How can I obtain legal advice?
The ACLUF-IA Legal Program can only give legal advice to those who have become its clients. Unless you have signed a retainer agreement with us you must seek legal advice through an attorney of your own choosing and at your own expense.

2. Can you tell me if I have a good case?
When we review a case we are looking not only for legal merit, but for other things that would make a case a worthwhile investment for our limited resources. We do not take cases that are primarily factual disputes, have little bearing on the rights of others or do not involve a civil liberties issue. Our failure to take a case does not necessarily mean we think it lacks legal merit. This is a question that can only be answered by an attorney.

3. Who reviews requests for assistance?
Requests for ACLUF-IA Legal Program assistance are often screened by lay staff and volunteers who report to and work under the direction of our lawyers. Their response, if any, to you should not be interpreted as a legal opinion.

4. Are my communications with the ACLUF-IA Legal Program Private?
Yes, we regard all requests for assistance to be an attempt to communicate with our lawyers for the purpose of obtaining legal assistance. Any information that you provide us in pursuit of that goal is covered by the attorney-client privilege and obligation of confidentiality.

5. What kinds of cases does the ACLUF-IA take?
Because we have a focused legal program, we stick to our core mission of defending constitutional rights and liberties. We seldom take cases that involve a large number of unrelated factual disputes. Most cases that we take involve the government in some way--private disputes seldom involve questions of basic constitutional rights. If your complaint is only against a private party, such as your employer, you may not have a civil liberties claim and should immediately seek alternative sources of assistance. Moreover, many claims are time limited. If you do not seek the advice of a lawyer promptly you could forfeit your right to sue.

Cases that we are unlikely to accept:

Employment disputes

Routine discrimination claims (i.e., those based on established law)

General harassment by law enforcement and other agencies

Suspected conspiracies

Domestic relations disputes

Child custody, child support, child abuse, and delinquency cases

Criminal defense work

Routine immigration cases

Disputes with private persons or entities

The "right" to bear arms personally

Grievable prison issues

Failure of an agency to follow its own rules

Stupid decisions by elected officials and bureaucrats

Landlord/tenant disputes

Welfare entitlement cases, and government benefit disputes

Environmental issues

Criminal searches involving only a dispute of fact

Cases arising outside the State of Iowa

Cases that we often do accept:

Freedom of speech and expression

Censorship by or under government authority

Freedom of religion or governmental establishment of religion

Searches involving a question of law or having a wide impact

Personal privacy and autonomy

Reproductive choice and freedom

Systematic due process violations

Rights of persons accused of a crime

Rights of persons held in custody or convicted of a crime

Equal protection under the law

Rights granted by the Iowa Constitution

Specific acts of governmental abuse and misconduct

Enforcement of democratic rights

Discrimination based on sexual orientation or cutting edge claims

Rights of access to public records

Student, and parental rights

Freedom from surveillance and the right to use countermeasures

Freedom of travel

Access to public fora

The right of access to the courts, and to effective remedies

The right to enjoy and defend property

Protection of traditional common law tights of individuals

Issues of federalism & maintenance of checks and balances

Referrals from attorneys

As you can see, we prefer to take cases that present a well defined civil liberties issue.

6. Why haven't I heard back from the ACLUF-IA Legal Program?
Unfortunately we do not have the staff or trained volunteers necessary to respond to all of the email, phone calls and letters we receive. If you have tried to reach us it is likely that we have read your letter or email or heard your phone message. However, unless we have a specific reason to respond, you might not hear from us.

7. What is case "sponsorship"?
When the ACLUF-IA accepts a case, we generally act as a “sponsor” of the litigation. That means that the ACLUF-IA will attempt to recruit a volunteer attorney to handle the case, and will pay the ordinary costs of litigation.

8. Is the ACLUF-IA Legal Program supported by taxes?
No, we are supported by private donations.

9. How do I become an ACLUF-IA client?
If the ACLUF-IA Legal Director agrees that your case would be a good addition to our Legal Program Docket, it will be referred to the ACLUF-IA Legal Committee. If the Legal Committee approves the case, the Legal Director will provide you with a retainer agreement. When both you and the Legal Director have signed the retainer agreement you will be considered to be a client of our Legal Program.

10. Do ACLUF-IA Legal Program Clients have to pay fees?
No

11. I'm an Attorney, How can I help the program?
We need lawyers to contribute money, serve on “Legal Committee” (physical attendance not required), serve on our board, and to volunteer as “cooperating attorneys.”

12. What is the ACLUF-IA Legal Committee?
The Legal Committee is a standing committee of the ACLUF-IA that approves or rejects cases that the ACLUF-IA might include within its Legal Program. The Legal Committee also advises the ACLUF-IA Legal Director. It is composed of Board Members who have been assigned to serve on the committee and Iowa Lawyers who are willing to serve in support of our mission. Deliberations of the Legal Committee are privileged and confidential.

13. What are "cooperating attorneys"?
“Cooperating Attorneys” are attorneys who have volunteered to serve as counsel on cases sponsored or brought by the ACLUF-IA Legal Program. The level of personal sacrifice involved in becoming a cooperating attorney can be controlled. Cooperating attorneys only take on such responsibilities as they desire.

14. Do I have to be a member to help?
No, but we strongly encourage it. At the same time, we recognize that there are some attorneys and lay volunteers who for one reason or another are unable or unwilling to join. We still welcome your participation on specific projects, cases and issues.

15. Are my contributions to the ACLUF-IA Legal Program tax deductible?
Yes, the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.