Washington HB 1513/SB 5572
Data collection on traffic stops (primarily re: race of driver); provide grant program for low-income drivers to assist with needed vehicle repairs; eliminate non-moving violations as a primary justification for a stop.
2024: Limiting Contact Between Police and the Public
Missouri HB 2132
Prohibits the odor of marijuana alone to give rise to probable cause to search a vehicle, home, or other private property.
California SB 50
Will limit law enforcement’s ability to stop people for minor, non-safety-related traffic infractions, unless there is an independent, safety related basis to initiate the stop. It will also provide technical clarification to ensure that localities can explore non-law enforcement approaches to traffic safety.
South Carolina SB 892 / HB 3829
Smell of marijuana alone does not provide reasonable suspicion or probable cause to support a stop, search, seizure, or arrest.
New Jersey S4250/A5326
Funding for pilot civilian response teams.
Ingram v. Kubik et. al.
Kirby Ingram alleges that he was peacefully cooperating with the police in the midst of a mental health crisis when an officer, annoyed with Ingram’s erratic behavior, body-slammed him, leaving him in the hospital requiring the fusion of two of his vertebrae and the replacement of another. The complaint alleges both excessive force and disability discrimination twice over—both a failure to accommodate his disability as well as intentional discrimination on the basis of it.
Jonathan Mercedes v. City of New York et. al.
Jonathan Mercedes v. City of New York et. al. involves a false arrest under NY State Mental Hygiene Law Section 9.41. Jonathan Mercedes was arrested by police despite officers observing no action by Mr. Mercedes that indicated that he was a danger to himself or others. The NY State Mental Hygiene Law has received heightened public attention recently, following NYC Mayor Eric Adams' announcement that he intends to use it to forcibly hospitalize unhoused people.
Coalition on Homelessness v. City and County of San Francisco et al
Coalition on Homelessness v. City and County of San Francisco et al challenges San Francisco's policy of towing safely parked cars solely because the owner has 5+ parking tickets. The policy disproportionately harms unhoused people who live in their vehicles. Our brief argues that allowing police to initiate these tows without a warrant violates the Fourth Amendment and elevates the risk of police violence by unnecessarily increasing police contact with the public.