Civil Rights Law
Police misconduct, discrimination, wrongful arrest, free speech violations — civil rights attorneys hold governments and institutions accountable. Get the legal help you deserve.
Find a Civil Rights Attorney →Understanding your legal situation is the first step to protecting your rights and getting fair compensation.
Civil rights violations occur when a government actor or institution deprives you of rights guaranteed by the Constitution or federal law. Common claims include excessive force by police, unlawful search and seizure, wrongful arrest, First Amendment retaliation, racial discrimination by public officials, and due process violations. Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act is the primary federal vehicle for holding state and local governments accountable.
When law enforcement uses force that is objectively unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment, you have the right to sue. This includes wrongful shootings, chokeholds, tasing, beatings, and other excessive force. Civil rights attorneys build these cases using bodycam footage, witness testimony, use-of-force policies, and expert analysis. Qualified immunity can be a barrier — but an experienced civil rights attorney knows how to overcome it.
Most civil rights cases are filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in federal court against the individual officer or official and, where appropriate, the government entity. Unlike other cases, attorney's fees are available to prevailing plaintiffs under 42 U.S.C. § 1988, which means attorneys take these cases on contingency. You typically have 2–3 years from the date of the violation to file, depending on your state — do not delay.
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