Court Cases

Featured Cases

Court Case
Apr 17, 2026
Graphic with a maroon overlay featuring the statue of Lady Justice holding scales in the background. On the left is the white ACLU of Nevada logo. On the right, separated by a vertical white line, the text reads “ACLU of Nevada v. Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles” in a bold, serif font.
  • First Amendment|
  • +1 Issue

ACLU of Nevada v. Department of Motor Vehicles

We’re suing the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for violating Nevada’s public records laws by refusing to release records related to their communications with ICE.
Court Case
Nov 25, 2025
Graphic with the ACLU of Nevada logo on the left and text reading ‘Morais-Hechavarria v. LVMPD’ on the right. In the background, a red and blue tinted photo shows a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department patrol vehicle with its logo visible on the door.
  • Immigrants' Rights

Morais-Hechavarria v. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

We filed a lawsuit challenging the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s (LVMPD) 287(g) agreement with ICE. That agreement allows ICE to use local law enforcement to assist in carrying out its federal immigration enforcement agenda.
Court Case
Apr 23, 2026
Graphic with a dark blue and red overlay showing a school bus parked on a suburban street. On the left is the white ACLU of Nevada logo. On the right, separated by a vertical white line, the text reads “ACLU of Nevada v. CCSD” in a bold, serif font.
  • First Amendment

ACLU of Nevada v. Clark County School District

In February, Durango High School students were attacked by CCSD police, and video of the incident was captured by a bystander. CCSD continues to stonewall the release of public records related to the incident. The ACLU of Nevada is representing two of the students attacked in the incident. The ACLU of Nevada filed for a writ of mandamus in a Clark County court in order to force the Clark County School District to release records that the civil rights nonprofit is entitled to. A writ of mandamus is a legal action meant to compel a government actor to follow the law. In February, Durango High School students were attacked by CCSD police for recording officers in the community. Video of the incident captured by a bystander has been shared widely throughout Nevada — including before the Legislature — but despite persistent requests from the news media and others, the school district continues to stonewall the release of public records related to the incident, such as body-worn camera footage and incident reports. Even the ACLU of Nevada, which is representing two teenagers who were attacked in the incident, has been denied the records. In March, the ACLUNV announced it was giving the school district 30 days to comply with the law or the nonprofit would file legal action. CCSD has failed to produce the records for the teenagers’ attorneys. On March 26, 2026, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that investigative files related to internal investigations are confidential under state law and therefore exempt from disclosure under the Nevada Public Records Act. UPDATE: On April 23, 2026, ACLUNV filed a petition for en banc reconsideration.

All Cases

54 Court Cases
Court Case
Apr 3, 2026
Graphic with a blue and red overlay featuring a pedestrian bridge over a Las Vegas street. On the left is the white ACLU of Nevada logo. On the right, the text reads “McAllister v. Clark County” in a bold, serif font.
  • First Amendment|
  • +1 Issue

McAllister v. Clark County

We're challenging Clark County's pedestrian flow zone ordinance for its vague language that allows LVMPD to selectively enforce and, in effect, selectively target people. Our client uses a manual wheelchair, and under this ordinance, could be charged with a misdemeanor for stopping to take a break. In January 2024, the Clark County Commission voted to establish pedestrian flow zones on the pedestrian bridges at the Las Vegas Strip and charge people with a misdemeanor for stopping or standing on these bridges.
Court Case
Apr 2, 2026
“Red-toned graphic featuring the ACLU of Nevada logo on the left and the case title ‘Ybarra v. Board of State Prison Commissioners’ on the right. The background shows a prison watchtower and perimeter fence topped with razor wire.
  • Smart Justice

Ybarra v. Board of State Prison Commissioners (Amicus)

This case asks whether the Nevada Department of Corrections can use an execution manual that was never approved by the Board of State Prison Commissioners, which is made up of the governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. Robert Ybarra Jr. and Zane Floyd face execution in Nevada and are challenging the Nevada Department of Corrections’ execution manual, arguing that the manual is a regulation and should have been approved by the Board of State Prison Commissioners before the state can use it to carry out an execution. The execution manual governs how Nevada carries out executions, including procedures for witnesses, media access, execution timelines, communications, and other parts of the execution process. The district court dismissed the case. Ybarra and Floyd appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court. We filed an amicus brief asking the Nevada Supreme Court to reverse the district Court’s decision. Our brief argues that the execution manual should be treated as a regulation because it affects First Amendment activity and public access to government proceedings, and that the Board of State Commissioners should be required to approve the execution manual. That process would give journalists, advocates, and members of the public an opportunity to raise concerns about rules that burden public access, transparency, and protected activity.
Court Case
Mar 20, 2026
Graphic featuring the ACLU of Nevada logo on the left and the case title ‘United States of America v. Aguilar’ on the right. The blue-tinted background shows a statue of Lady Justice holding scales.
  • Voting Rights

United States of America v. Aguilar

In conjunction with the national ACLU, we’ve filed a motion to intervene in this case to protect Nevada voters and ensure people can participate in our democracy freely, safely, and without fear.
Court Case
Mar 4, 2026
Blue-toned graphic with the ACLU of Nevada logo and the text ‘City of Las Vegas v. Bellus.’ The background shows a judge’s gavel resting on a block with scales of justice behind it.
  • First Amendment|
  • +1 Issue

City of Las Vegas v. Bellus

We’re defending Alexander Bellus, a man who was cited by the City of Las Vegas for allegedly distributing food and water at a public park to people experiencing homelessness as part of his religious practice.
Court Case
Feb 19, 2026
Red-toned graphic featuring the ACLU of Nevada logo and the text ‘Feazell v. Bean.’ The background shows a dimly lit prison hallway with a single barred cell door at the end.
  • Smart Justice

Feazell v. Bean (Amicus)

Doneale Feazell was just 18 years old when he was accused of committing a homicide and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus, challenging his unconstitutional detention. Alongside the Juvenile Law Center, we filed an amicus brief in support of his petition, arguing that sentencing an 18-year-old to die in prison violates the Nevada Constitution's ban on cruel or unusual punishment. Nevada’s Constitution provides stronger protections than the federal standard. While the Eighth Amendment prohibits “cruel and unusual punishment,” Nevada prohibits punishment that is “cruel or unusual.” Courts in other states have relied on similar language to strike down life without parole sentences for older adolescents, including those up to age 20. Research shows that young people in this age group share key developmental traits with those under 18, including a greater capacity for growth and change. Because of this, states across the country are expanding protections, including access to parole and resentencing. Nevada courts should do the same. Given this growing body of research and legal precedent, Nevada courts should recognize that sentencing young people like Feazell to die in prison is unconstitutional.
Court Case
Jan 12, 2026
Red-tinted graphic featuring the ACLU of Nevada logo and the text ‘Baggett v. Bean.’ The background shows a row of prison cells with barred doors along a corridor,
  • Smart Justice

Baggett v. Bean (Amicus)

Despite only being 19 when accused of murder, Johnny Baggett was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. He filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus, challenging his unconstitutional detention and raising claims of ineffective assistance of counsel that prevented him from proving his innocence. In conjunction with the Juvenile Law Center, we filed an amicus brief in support of his petition, arguing that sentencing a 19-year-old to life without parole violates the Nevada Constitution's ban on cruel or unusual punishment. The Nevada Constitution provides stronger protections than the federal standard. While the Eighth Amendment prohibits "cruel and unusual punishment," Nevada prohibits punishment that is "cruel or unusual." Courts in other states have relied on similar language to strike down life without parole sentences for older adolescents, including those up to age 20. Research shows that young people in this age group share key developmental traits with those under 18, including a greater capacity for growth and change. Because of this, states across the country are expanding protections, including access to parole and resentencing. Given this growing body of research and legal precedent, Nevada courts should recognize that sentencing young people like Baggett to die in prison is unconstitutional.
Court Case
Nov 21, 2025
Graphic with a dark blue and red overlay featuring a police car with flashing lights in a city at night. On the left, the white ACLU of Nevada logo appears. On the right, the text reads “ACLU of Nevada v. LVMPD” in a bold, serif font, divided by a vertical white line.
  • First Amendment|
  • +1 Issue

ACLU of Nevada v. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

We are suing the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to get public records about the full extent of its involvement with federal immigration enforcement.
Court Case
Nov 12, 2025
Blue-tinted graphic with the ACLU of Nevada logo and the text ‘Armendarez v. Henderson Municipal Court.’ The background shows a statue of Lady Justice holding scales.
  • Smart Justice

Armendarez v. Henderson Municipal Court (Amicus)

Court Case
Oct 15, 2025
Graphic with a blue overlay featuring a judge’s gavel resting beside a balance scale. On the left is the white ACLU of Nevada logo. On the right, separated by a vertical white line, the text reads “Lee v. State of Nevada” in a bold, serif font.
  • Smart Justice

Lee v. State of Nevada (Amicus)

The ACLU of Nevada, alongside Nevada Attorneys for Criminal Justice, filed an amicus brief asking the court to strengthen due process protections and ensure defendants receive fair trials. In this case, the state made mid-trial disclosures of critical evidence—information that could have helped the defense. The state’s delayed disclosure hindered the defense’s ability to prepare an effective case, and the defendant is now asking that his conviction be reversed due to the state’s failure to meet its legal obligations to disclose evidence in a timely manner. Our amicus brief argues that the convictions should be overturned when delays in the disclosure of evidence violate a defendant’s right to Due Process, as well as when the State, in bad faith, fails to comply with Nevada discovery laws. UPDATE: On September 12, 2025, the Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's decision in favor of the State of Nevada.