This article was first published in the Liberty Reporter: 2017 Spring Newsletter >> The ACLU of Utah, chartered in 1958, operates through public education, legal advocacy, litigation, and lobbying at both the state and local levels to ensure the constitutional rights and freedoms of everyone living in or visiting Utah. Our work is based on those principals outlined in the Bill of Rights and our priorities include: Participatory Democracy; Racial Justice; Criminal Justice Reform; Immigration Reform; LGBTQ Equality; Women’s Rights; Digital Security & Privacy; and Religious Liberty & Freedom of Belief. In addition, we continue our commitment to protect the First Amendment. For more about the ACLU of Utah and our priorities please visit www.acluutah.org Staff: Brittney Nystrom, Executive Director Marina Baginsky Lowe, Legislative and Policy Counsel John Mejia, Legal Director Leah Farrell, Staff Attorney Anna Thomas, Strategic Communications Manager Cassie Taylor, Development Director Jessica Andrews, Finance and Business Manager Reinard Knutsen, Office Manager Margie Nash, Paralegal   Board of Directors: Michael Weinholtz, President Danielle Hawkes, Vice President Bill Orchow, Treasurer Heidi Chamorro, Secretary Barry Gomberg, Affirmative Action Officer Roderic Land, National ACLU Board Rep. Erin Castro, Gina Cornia, Roni Jo Draper, Rachel Elliott, Forrest Crawford, Russell Fericks, Brian King, Clemens…

Did you know September 17 is Constitution Day?  The national ACLU has created a website to provide fun and exciting learning opportunities for students to learn about the Constitution. The website includes resources for teachers, including a curriculum, and resources for students, including games, trivia and more. There is also information on how your student's school could win up to $10,000 by creating a wall of rights mural. Read more >>

Information About the Department of Corrections Sex Offender Registry  December 15, 2000  Utah Code Section 77-27-21.5 establishes the Sex Offender Registration Information System. Despite the protests of the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals decided that this registry did not violate the due process and ex post facto rights of those convicted of sexual offenses in Utah, see Femedeer v. Haun, 227 F.3d 1244 (10th Cir. 2000). As a result, the sex offender registry is up and running. The following is a brief overview of the statute. We hope this will clarify some of the confusion associated with the registry. Please remember that you do not have to be incarcerated or on parole for this registry to apply to you. Utah’s sex offender registry is one of the broadest in the country and applies to persons who are currently incarcerated, on parole, and those who have completed parole within the last ten years. This is only a summary of the statute and you may need to contact your own attorney if you have specific questions relating to your registration.  Who is required to register?   Utah Code Section 77-27-21.5 applies to any person convicted by…