First Amendment -
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."


Learn more about how Rhode Island's public universities threaten student speech:
The Following Hopkins Center Cases seek to vindicate First Amendment rights:

Nelson v. Durfee

Second Amendment - Right to Keep and Bear Arms

"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

The Following Hopkins Center Cases seek to vindicate Second Amendment rights:

Nichols v. Warren

Fifth Amendment - Right to Private Property

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

The Following Hopkins Center Cases seek to vindicate Fifth Amendment rights:

Nichols v. Warren

Fourteenth Amendment  - Right to Earn an Honest Living

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

Case Suggestions and Requests

The Stephen Hopkin's Center for Civil Rights provides free and reduced cost legal representation to Rhode Islanders whose constitutional rights are violated by government. Because our resources are limited, we must carefully choose among meritorious cases that will create broadly applicable precedents, with a primary focus on the Rhode Island Constitution.


We do not take the following types of cases:
  • criminal cases
  • cases against private parties
  • most cases involving financial claims against the government
  • fact-specific or factually complex cases that are not likely to produce broadly applicable precedents
  • cases involving governmental conspiracies
  • cases that are already in court
  • cases outside of Rhode Island

If you believe your case fits within the parameters for consideration, email info@hopkinscenter.org. Please give your contact information and relevant information regarding your case. Also, please note that we cannot take case inquiries over the phone or in person.

We welcome all inquiries, but due to the large number of inquiries submitted, we are not always able to respond to each one.  If your inquiry falls within our area of expertise, we will make every effort to respond as time and resources permit. Please understand that we cannot provide legal advice unless we agree to take your case.

Learn more about the Stephen Hopkins Center's legal cases here.

If you are interested in donating to the Stephen Hopkins Center for Civil Rights please E-mail info@hopkinscenter.org.