Nevada Supreme Court to hear arguments on sanctuary cities case, lethal injection protocol

Affiliate: ACLU of Nevada
May 4, 2018 3:30 pm

ACLU Affiliate
ACLU of Nevada
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The Nevada Supreme Court will hear two important cases Tuesday morning in Carson City: A case involving a ballot question seeking to ban sanctuary policies statewide and a case involving the state’s plan to execute a prisoner using an experimental cocktail that includes a paralytic drug.

ACLU of Nevada representatives will be available throughout the day for commentary and analysis.

Haley v. Prevent Sanctuary Cities PAC

In January, the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada successfully challenged the legality of a ballot measure that would bar government entities across the state from adopting so-called “sanctuary city” policies.

ACLU of Nevada Legal Director, Amy Rose, argued that the ballot measure violates Nevada law because it misleads voters by failing explain the many detrimental effects it would have on our communities if passed. The ACLU of Nevada also said the measure violates a state law mandating that ballot measures be limited to a single subject, causing voters to be further misled about the true impact of the ballot measure. The court agreed.

The Prevent Sanctuary Cities PAC appealed the ruling, and the Nevada Supreme Court will hear arguments at 10 a.m. on May 8, 2018.

The ACLU of Nevada will hold a press conference with our plaintiffs in front of the courthouse at 8:45 a.m.* Staff will be available for interviews at our Las Vegas office as well.

Nevada Department of Corrections v. Dozier

At 11 a.m., the Nevada Supreme Court will hear an appeal arising from a Clark County District Court ruling that enjoined the Department of Corrections from using a paralytic drug to execute Nevada prisoner Scott Dozier.

The ACLU of Nevada has been highly critical of the state’s execution scheme since it was announced in the fall. The nonprofit filed a friend of the court brief that shows the Nevada Constitution provides greater protections with regard to capital punishment than the U.S. Constitution.

The ACLU of Nevada will hold a press availability in front of the courthouse at 1 p.m.* You can view the Amicus Brief here. Staff will be available for interviews in Las Vegas as well.

*Location may change if the weather turns ugly. Contact communications manager Wesley Juhl with any questions or to arrange an interview: juhl@aclunv.org or 702-742-3016.

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