Civil Liberties & Privacy
Defending individual rights against government overreach — in Connecticut and beyond.
Civil liberties are not privileges granted by the state. They are inherent rights that exist before government. The Libertarian Party of Connecticut is committed to protecting those rights from erosion by surveillance, overcriminalization, and unchecked authority.
While major parties often expand government power in the name of safety or convenience, history shows that freedom lost is rarely restored. Connecticut deserves policies that respect personal autonomy, due process, and privacy — without exception.
Core Principles
- Individual sovereignty: Adults own their bodies, labor, and peaceful choices.
- Due process: Government must prove guilt before punishment — always.
- Privacy by default: Citizens should not be treated as suspects.
- Equal protection: Laws must apply equally, without carve-outs for the powerful.
Personal Freedom & Victimless Crimes
The criminal justice system should be limited to acts involving force, fraud, or theft. We oppose laws that criminalize peaceful behavior, lifestyle choices, or consensual activity.
Overcriminalization wastes resources, destroys lives, and disproportionately harms marginalized communities — without making Connecticut safer.
We support:
- Ending the failed War on Drugs
- Reducing unnecessary arrests and prosecutions
- Restoring proportional penalties and judicial discretion
- Focusing law enforcement on real crimes with real victims
Privacy, Surveillance & Digital Rights
Privacy is essential to a free society. Without it, free speech, free association, and political dissent cannot survive.
We oppose mass surveillance, warrantless data collection, and the expansion of government databases that track innocent people.
The Libertarian Party of Connecticut supports:
- Strong limits on government surveillance and data retention
- Warrant requirements for digital searches and tracking
- Protection against facial recognition abuse and bulk data collection
- Transparency and accountability for agencies that collect personal information
Government must demonstrate necessity, proportionality, and constitutional authority — not convenience.
Free Speech & Civil Dissent
Free speech is not optional — especially when it is unpopular. We oppose censorship, compelled speech, and viewpoint discrimination by government actors.
This includes speech related to politics, health decisions, protests, and criticism of those in power. The answer to speech we dislike is more speech — not coercion or punishment.
Policing, Accountability & Qualified Immunity
Law enforcement plays a vital role in public safety, but power without accountability inevitably leads to abuse.
We support reforms that protect both civil liberties and honest officers, including:
- Ending or limiting qualified immunity
- Clear standards for use of force
- Independent investigations of misconduct
- Demilitarization of civilian policing
Public trust is built through transparency and accountability — not secrecy or blanket immunity.
Due Process & Equal Justice
Every person is entitled to due process, regardless of income, background, or political views. We oppose civil asset forfeiture, indefinite detention, and administrative punishments that bypass the courts.
Justice must be blind, restrained, and grounded in constitutional limits — not revenue generation or political expediency.
A free society depends on the protection of civil liberties — especially when it is inconvenient.
The Libertarian Party of Connecticut stands firm in defense of privacy, due process, and personal freedom.
Join us in protecting liberty where it matters most.