Privacy

ACLU v. City of Sarasota - Various local law enforcement agencies in Florida use a portable device known as a “Stingray” to collect information from cell phones in the vicinity.  Also known as “cell site simulators,” Stingrays mimic cell service providers’ towers and broadcast electronic signals that force cell phones in the area to register their identifying information and location.  Stingrays collect information not only about specific targets of investigations, but also about hundreds or thousands of innocent third parties.  In May 2014, the ACLU sought to learn how the Sarasota Police used Stingrays. In response to the ACLU’s public records request, the Sarasota Police initially acknowledged sole possession, custody, and control of numerous state applications to use a Stingray and the orders granting the request.  However, hours before the ACLU was scheduled to review them, the City changed course and refused public access them. The ACLU sued to obtain public access to the learn about the state court’s oversight of the use of these Stingrays and when they allow them.

American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 79 v. Scott - AFSCME Council 79, the largest union of state employees in Florida, challenged Governor Scott’s executive order mandating suspicionless drug testing of all of the employees and job applicants at state agencies in his purview.

Gainesville Woman Care and Medical Students for Choice v. Florida: We filed suit asking a state court to block a new law that would force a woman seeking an abortion to wait at least 24 hours after visiting the clinic to obtain care, delaying her abortion and forcing her to make an additional, unnecessary trip.

Lebron v. Sec’y of the Florida Dep’t of Children and Families - Luis Lebron, a single father and college student, who applied for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (“TANF”), refused to undergo suspicionless drug testing as a part of the application.  Florida passed Fla. Stat. §  414.0652 requiring applicants to pay for and pass drug tests in order to be eligible for welfare benefits.  We challenged the law, on behalf of Luis and all TANF applicants, as a violation of their Fourth Amendment rights to be free from unreasonable searches without probable cause to believe they used drugs.

Voss v. City of Key West - Karen Voss applied for a job as the Recycling Coordinator for City of Key West, but refused to take a drug test as part of her application, something the City required of all job applicants as a prerequisite for employment.  We challenged the policy, arguing that Ms. Voss’s job, which was primarily a public relations position to encourage city residents to recycle more, was not safety-sensitive.