Does ACLU win cases?

Asked by: Emerald Hayes  |  Last update: May 29, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (67 votes)

Yes, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wins a significant number of cases, having a strong track record of landmark victories and successful challenges against policies, often winning more often than losing, thanks to its nationwide network and deep involvement in critical Supreme Court cases. While results vary, the ACLU consistently achieves favorable rulings on issues like voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, and racial justice, even if they sometimes lose at lower levels but win at the Supreme Court.

What is the success rate of the ACLU?

As the report details, the ACLU has filed over 200 legal actions, with an almost 65 success rate in defeating, delaying, or diluting federal policies.

Does the ACLU win cases?

And whether we're standing on principle before the highest court in the land or in state and federal courthouses across America (our network includes affiliates that are active on-the-ground in all 50 states), the ACLU wins far more often than we lose.

What power does the ACLU have?

Our Washington Legislative Office lobbies Congress to pass bills that advance or defend civil liberties and defeat those that do not, our affiliates work in state houses across the country to do the same, and we use strategic communications to engage supporters on the most pressing civil liberties issues of our time.

Does the ACLU make a difference?

We've participated in more cases before the Supreme Court than any other private organization. From defending freedom of speech to protecting reproductive freedom to expanding equal protection under the law, the ACLU has been involved in one landmark Supreme Court case after another.

How Does The ACLU Win Its Most Important Civil Liberties Cases? - Guide To Your Rights

24 related questions found

What are two things the ACLU works to fight for?

The ACLU's current positions include opposing the death penalty; supporting same-sex marriage and the right of LGBTQ+ people to adopt; supporting reproductive rights such as birth control and abortion rights; eliminating discrimination against women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ people; decarceration in the United States; ...

How much does the CEO of ACLU make?

The salary for the ACLU's Executive Director and CEO, Anthony D. Romero, varies slightly by reporting year but has been around $900,000 to over $1.1 million, with one source showing $1,141,385 and another $940,312, reflecting compensation for the national organization's top leader as reported in nonprofit filings, while other senior staff salaries are lower but still substantial, reflecting management of a large organization.
 

Who can overrule the Constitution?

When the Supreme Court rules on a constitutional issue, that judgment is virtually final; its decisions can be altered only by the rarely used procedure of constitutional amendment or by a new ruling of the Court. However, when the Court interprets a statute, new legislative action can be taken.

Does the ACLU support LGBTQ?

Yes, the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) strongly supports LGBTQ+ rights, working to end discrimination and ensure equal treatment, autonomy, and freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals through legal action, advocacy, and public education on issues like marriage equality, workplace protections, and combating anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
 

Who pays ACLU lawyers?

The ACLU is supported by dues and more than $50 million in contributions annually from individuals and grants from foundations, and receives no government funding. It does not charge its clients.

What are some famous ACLU cases?

Some Highlights

  • 1920 - Palmer Raids.
  • 1925 - The Scopes Case.
  • 1942 - Fighting the Internment of Japanese Americans.
  • 1954 - Brown v. Board of Education.
  • 1969 - Protecting Free Speech.
  • 1973 - Reproductive Rights.
  • 1978 - Taking a Stand for Free Speech in Skokie.
  • 1981 - Creationism in Arkansas.

Who has the world record for the most lawsuits?

The world record for the most lawsuits filed belongs to Jonathan Lee Riches, an American who, from his prison cell, filed thousands of bizarre and often frivolous lawsuits against everyone from celebrities (Britney Spears, Bill Gates) to landmarks (Eiffel Tower) and even the Guinness World Records itself, earning him notoriety as "the most litigious person in the world". While Guinness acknowledged him as a record holder, Riches sued them for defamation, claiming his personal life was used without consent, adding another layer to his extensive legal spectacle.
 

Who finances the ACLU?

The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is funded primarily by individual donations, membership dues, and grants from private foundations, receiving no government funding, with donations to its separate ACLU Foundation arm being tax-deductible, while gifts to the main ACLU organization support lobbying and aren't tax-deductible. Major sources include millions of members, large grants, and significant gifts from foundations like the Ford Foundation and Open Society Institute.
 

Why is Gen Z protesting so much?

Gen Z is protesting so much due to deep frustrations with corruption, economic inequality, lack of opportunity, and poor governance, which they feel are creating a bleak future compared to their parents' generation, with issues like high youth unemployment, rising costs, and feeling unrepresented by older elites fueling widespread mobilization. These movements, often organized via social media, demand systemic change, accountability, and better living standards, tackling issues from climate change to police brutality. 

Does the ACLU still defend free speech?

Protecting free speech means protecting a free press, the democratic process, diversity of thought, and so much more. The ACLU has worked since 1920 to ensure that freedom of speech is protected for everyone.

Why is ACLU controversial?

Some of the ACLU's more controversial stances involve its support of unpopular people or organizations in holding to its position that all citizens and residents of the United States be allowed to exercise their free speech rights.

What are 5 examples of unfair discrimination?

Five examples of unfair discrimination include racial discrimination (e.g., denying a promotion due to race), age discrimination (e.g., laying off older workers over younger ones), sex/gender discrimination (e.g., asking female candidates about family plans), disability discrimination (e.g., failing to provide reasonable accommodations), and religious discrimination (e.g., not allowing time off for religious observance), all involving treating someone less favorably due to a protected trait rather than job performance. 

What does the 27th amendment actually say?

The 27th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that no law varying the compensation for Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives has intervened, meaning Congress can't give itself a pay raise until after the next election, allowing voters to decide if they approve of the change. Proposed by James Madison in 1789, it took over 200 years to be ratified in 1992, preventing mid-term pay hikes and promoting accountability.
 

Do judges have more power than the President?

Federal laws, for example, are passed by Congress and signed by the President. The judicial branch, in turn, has the authority to decide the constitutionality of federal laws and resolve other cases involving federal laws. But judges depend upon the executive branch to enforce court decisions.

What is the 5th amendment?

The Due Process Clause

The Fifth Amendment guarantees that no one can be deprived of “life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” This means that before the government can take away someone's freedom or property, they must follow certain rules and procedures to ensure fairness.

Who is the CEO that pays everyone $70k?

The CEO known for paying employees $70k is Dan Price, former CEO of Gravity Payments, who famously cut his own $1.1 million salary in 2015 to establish a $70,000 minimum wage for his staff, a move that significantly boosted revenue, retention, and employee well-being, though he later resigned amid legal issues. 

Do Walmart managers make $600000 a year?

Yes, some top-tier Walmart market managers (regional managers overseeing multiple stores) can earn over $600,000 annually, but this isn't for all managers; it's a recent move to reward high-performing senior leaders with significant base pay, large bonuses, and stock, with a lower end of $420k and top end near $620k for these specific roles, while most store managers earn far less. 

How much does the CEO of Wounded Warrior make a year?

Wounded Warrior Project CEO Michael S. Linnington's salary has been reported in the low to mid-$500,000s in recent years, with figures like $511,107 in 2024 and $501,673 in 2023, part of a larger compensation package, according to Paddock Post reports based on tax filings, with cumulative earnings reaching around $3 million from 2018-2024. This compensation is for the main Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), distinct from similar-named groups like Wounded Warriors Family Support.