Rhode Island

All Cases

7 Rhode Island Cases

Parente et al. v. Lefebvre et al.
Rhode Island Supreme Court
Oct 2025

Civil Liberties

Parente et al. v. Lefebvre et al.

This case asks whether state officials in Rhode Island can be held liable for their discriminatory acts under the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act (RICRA), a state anti-discrimination law. The State of Rhode Island asserts that it has sovereign immunity as to claims brought under the RICRA and therefore cannot be sued for damages for violating that law. The State Supreme Court Initiative and the Ƶof Rhode Island filed an amicus brief arguing that the State is wrong: discrimination claims under the RICRA are covered by the State Tort Claims Act’s broad waiver of state sovereign immunity for “all actions of torts.” Thus, state officials may be held liable when they engage in discrimination prohibited by the RICRA, allowing harmed Rhode Islanders to seek redress.
Explore case
Parente Et Al. V. Lefebvre Et Al.. Explore Case.
Rhode Island Supreme Court
Oct 2025
Parente et al. v. Lefebvre et al.

Civil Liberties

Parente et al. v. Lefebvre et al.

This case asks whether state officials in Rhode Island can be held liable for their discriminatory acts under the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act (RICRA), a state anti-discrimination law. The State of Rhode Island asserts that it has sovereign immunity as to claims brought under the RICRA and therefore cannot be sued for damages for violating that law. The State Supreme Court Initiative and the Ƶof Rhode Island filed an amicus brief arguing that the State is wrong: discrimination claims under the RICRA are covered by the State Tort Claims Act’s broad waiver of state sovereign immunity for “all actions of torts.” Thus, state officials may be held liable when they engage in discrimination prohibited by the RICRA, allowing harmed Rhode Islanders to seek redress.
Parente Et Al. V. Lefebvre Et Al.. Explore Case.
G.M.G. v. Trump
Rhode Island
May 2025

Immigrants' Rights

G.M.G. v. Trump

Emergency lawsuit in federal court to again halt removals under the Alien Enemies Act for people within that court’s judicial district.
Explore case
G.m.g. V. Trump. Explore Case.
Rhode Island
May 2025
G.M.G. v. Trump

Immigrants' Rights

G.M.G. v. Trump

Emergency lawsuit in federal court to again halt removals under the Alien Enemies Act for people within that court’s judicial district.
G.m.g. V. Trump. Explore Case.
Rhode Island Latino Arts v. National Endowment for the Arts
Rhode Island
Mar 2025

Free Speech

Rhode Island Latino Arts v. National Endowment for the Arts

On March 6, 2025, the ACLU; the Ƶof Rhode Island; Lynette Labinger, cooperating attorney for the Ƶof Rhode Island; and David Cole filed a federal lawsuit against the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), challenging a new requirement that all grant applicants certify that “federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology,” pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order 14168, and a related prohibition on funding any projects that appear to “promote” such messages.
Explore case
Rhode Island Latino Arts V. National Endowment For The Arts. Explore Case.
Rhode Island
Mar 2025
Rhode Island Latino Arts v. National Endowment for the Arts

Free Speech

Rhode Island Latino Arts v. National Endowment for the Arts

On March 6, 2025, the ACLU; the Ƶof Rhode Island; Lynette Labinger, cooperating attorney for the Ƶof Rhode Island; and David Cole filed a federal lawsuit against the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), challenging a new requirement that all grant applicants certify that “federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology,” pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order 14168, and a related prohibition on funding any projects that appear to “promote” such messages.
Rhode Island Latino Arts V. National Endowment For The Arts. Explore Case.
Young prisoner in juvenile solitary with head between hands
Rhode Island
Jul 2017

Juvenile Justice

Prisoners' Rights

Inmates of the Rhode Island Training School for Youth v. Piccola

On July 24, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William Smith dismissed the ACLU’s lawsuit against the Rhode Island Training School for Youth, which challenged the deplorable conditions at the institution as violations of the Eighth Amendment. This landmark case is now closed at the behest of the Ƶand the state of Rhode Island because the institution has made the improvements in education, medical care, vocational training, the physical plant, meals, and other conditions required by the consent decree between the state and the plaintiffs.
Explore case
Inmates Of The Rhode Island Training School For Youth V. Piccola. Explore Case.
Rhode Island
Jul 2017
Young prisoner in juvenile solitary with head between hands

Juvenile Justice

Prisoners' Rights

Inmates of the Rhode Island Training School for Youth v. Piccola

On July 24, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William Smith dismissed the ACLU’s lawsuit against the Rhode Island Training School for Youth, which challenged the deplorable conditions at the institution as violations of the Eighth Amendment. This landmark case is now closed at the behest of the Ƶand the state of Rhode Island because the institution has made the improvements in education, medical care, vocational training, the physical plant, meals, and other conditions required by the consent decree between the state and the plaintiffs.
Inmates Of The Rhode Island Training School For Youth V. Piccola. Explore Case.
1
2