Ask For Help

READ THIS PAGE BEFORE YOU ASK FOR HELP.

The ACLU of Arizona receives hundreds of requests for help from people each month, and we are only able to help a few.

See our Resources page for other organizations that may be able to help you.

ALL complaints must be in writing, either on our online complaint form or sent through the mail.

We will not take complaints over the phone, in email, or in person.

If you submit a complaint form, it does not mean that the ACLU of Arizona has agreed to help you.

We will not give legal advice over the phone, in email, or in person.

It may take up to 8 weeks or more to look at your complaint and send you a letter. We will not take calls about your complaint. We will contact you if we need more information.

The ACLU of Arizona will not provide immediate or emergency services. If you have a deadline or court date coming up, find legal assistance elsewhere. See our Resources page.

WHAT WE DO:

The ACLU of Arizona usually takes cases against government agencies where law, policy, or practice affects constitutional rights - that is, civil liberties and civil rights. We want to make positive changes for a large or significant number of people who have the same, or a similar, issue.

What are "civil rights" and "civil liberties"?

Civil liberties and civil rights are personal rights and freedoms that are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, including the basic rights to be free from unlawful discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, etc.

Most of our work protecting civil rights and civil liberties is against government agencies and not private organizations or individuals.

SOME EXAMPLES OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES WE PROTECT INCLUDE:

  • Freedom of Speech and Press
  • ​​​Freedom of Religion
  • Voting Rights
  • Equal Protection
  • Immigrants’ Rights
  • LGBTQ+ Rights
  • Equality in Education

PLEASE NOTE:

The ACLU of Arizona is not like legal aid. We do not provide general legal assistance to low-income individuals.

The ACLU of Arizona does not interfere with the work of other attorneys. If you have an attorney, the attorney should contact us.

Prisoners or detainees with a complaint about conditions must follow all grievance procedures before contacting us. Send us copies, NOT ORIGINALS, of grievance filings and decisions.

No Cost: If we can help you, we do not charge a fee.

TYPES OF CASES WHERE THE ACLU OF ARIZONA USUALLY DOES NOT HELP:

To find organizations and agencies that may be able to help you, visit our Resources page.

  • Factual disputes – where the two sides disagree (“he said; she said”) on what the facts are.
  • Disputes with individuals or private organizations.
  • Employment: The ACLU of Arizona usually does not help when employees are fired or treated unfairly at work, especially if the employer is a private company. We may be able to help LGBTQ persons who face discrimination at work.
  • Family law/child custody/child support/divorce.
  • Landlord-Tenant or Homeowner Association disputes.
  • Denial of government benefits such as worker's compensation, unemployment, social security or food stamps.
  • Complaints about judges, attorneys or probation officers.
  • Criminal cases.
  • Challenges to convictions or prison sentences.
  • Cases that are too old (usually older than 2 years).
  • Cases from outside Arizona: Find ACLU affiliates in other states at www.aclu.org.

TO ASK US FOR HELP:

I have read and understand the above information.

Print a complaint form to mail us here.

Fill out and submit the online complaint form.

It may take up to 8 weeks for us to respond.

If your situation is time sensitive or urgent, please see our Resources page for other organizations that may be able to help you.

DEADLINES (Statutes of Limitation): All legal claims have time deadlines. The ACLU of Arizona will not tell you which time deadlines apply to your situation. You may need to consult an attorney right away to find out what deadlines apply in your case.

See our Resources page for other organizations that may be able to help you.