Constitutional Accountability Center Constitutional Accountability Center

Access to Justice

Ensuring that the courthouse doors remain open to all Americans
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Jury | Valerie Keinsley / Indiana Humanities, Flickr

Summary

The Constitution guarantees citizens the ability to vindicate their rights in court. CAC fights to protect that right and ensure that all Americans get their day in an impartial court of law.

Access to Justice in Brief

U.S. Supreme Court | Ken Lund, Flickr

When the Constitution was framed, the promise of access to the federal courts was at the heart of a new system of government accountable to the people. The federal judiciary, with the Supreme Court at its head, would be the “keystone of the arch.” CAC works to defend the right of the people to have their day in court.

Featured Case

Access to Justice May 9, 2022

Torres v. Madrid II

In 2014, Roxanne Torres sat in her parked car when two New Mexico police officers attempted to open her car doors. Torres began to drive away, at which point the officers shot at her multiple times, striking her twice in the back. Although the police did not apprehend Torres immediately, they arrested her later at a hospital where she was receiving medical attention for the serious wounds she suffered in the shooting. Torres later sued the officers under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a statute that authorizes damages actions against state and local officials for constitutional violations. Torres alleged that the...

Case Timeline

Current
  • CAC files amicus curiae brief