At Advocate Capital, we believe in supporting organizations that stand up for fairness, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable communities. A recent lawsuit filed in Colorado by children fighting for the right to visit their incarcerated parents underscores exactly why groups like Public Justice are so essential to our justice system.
Children in Adams County, Colorado, have filed suit against the County, the Sheriff, and telecommunications provider HomeWAV, asking the state court to affirm what should be a basic, humane right: the ability to have in-person contact visits with their parents. The complaint alleges that Adams County eliminated all family visitation years ago and then partnered with private telecom companies to profit from paid video and phone calls, charging families up to $0.20 per minute for remote video calls and $0.40 per video message. Since 2020, families have spent at least $4.8 million staying connected to loved ones detained in the jail.
For many families, these costs are devastating. Most individuals in the Adams County jail are detained pretrial and legally innocent, held simply because they cannot afford cash bail. Loved ones, often low-income families and disproportionately people of color, are forced to choose between staying in touch or covering basic needs like food, medicine, and rent.
Colorado courts and lawmakers have long recognized the importance of familial association. In-person visitation has been affirmed as essential not only for children’s well-being, but also for rehabilitation, community connection, and reducing recidivism.
Yet Adams County’s ban on all in-person visits, contrary to state law, expert research, and even the policies of neighboring counties, has lasted nearly two decades.
This lawsuit is part of the broader Right 2 Hug Project and is being litigated by an impressive coalition made up of Public Justice, Civil Rights Corps, Maxted Law, LLC, Spero Justice Center, Singleton Schreiber, LLP, and the National Center for Youth Law.
Cases like this highlight just how critical Public Justice’s work is. They confront systemic injustices that are often invisible to the public but profoundly harmful to real people. Their efforts help ensure that our legal system serves everyone, not just those who can afford to navigate it.
At Advocate Capital, we have deep respect for Public Justice and their commitment to protecting civil rights, challenging corporate abuses, and fighting for economic and social justice. Their willingness to take on complex, high-impact litigation makes them an indispensable defender of fairness in our justice system.
You can visit their website publicjustice.net to learn more about their mission and support them by becoming a member or making a donation.
