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How do I bring a civil-rights claim under Section 1983?

A Section 1983 lawsuit is a type of civil-rights claim against local or state-government officials for civil-rights violations. The lawsuit can be filed if the perpetrator was acting “under color of law.” Only federal rights are protected under this statute (42 U.S.C. § 1983), not state rights. You may, however, have state-law rights that parallel or complement the federal rights.

“Under color of law" means that someone acted with the apparent authority of the state. These people include police officers, mayors, local government officials, prison wardens, and other public officials. If your civil rights have been violated by one of these officials you might be owed damages or have other relief available.

If you suspect that your civil rights have been violated, it is best that you speak with an experienced civil-rights lawyer. An attorney at The Chandra Law Firm LLC can help bring you justice. If you have a civil-rights issue in California, Ohio, or Nevada, tell us your issue through https://www.chandralaw.com/contact.


Related Practice Areas
First AmendmentGovernment Ethics, Misconduct, Fraud, & AbusePolice Misconduct & BrutalityFirst Amendment RetaliationSection 1983 Litigation: Holding Government Officials Accountable for Constitutional ViolationsPolice Brutality in California: What Are Your Rights?Free Speech for California Public Employees: Where the Line Is Drawn

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