District of Columbia Civil Rights Lawyers

What civil rights lawyers do in District of Columbia

Civil rights lawyers represent people whose constitutional or statutory rights were violated — by government officials, police, schools, landlords, businesses or employers. Cases include excessive force, false arrest, prison conditions, disability access, housing discrimination and free-speech violations.

These cases involve special legal doctrines, such as qualified immunity and notice-of-claim requirements against government entities, so experience in civil rights litigation matters.

Common civil rights matters

• Police misconduct and excessive force
• False arrest and malicious prosecution
• Disability access (ADA)
• Housing discrimination
• Prisoners’ rights
• First Amendment claims

When to contact a civil rights lawyer

• You were injured or wrongfully arrested by law enforcement
• You were denied housing, services or access because of a protected characteristic or disability
• A government entity retaliated against you for speech or protest

How civil rights lawyers charge

Civil rights attorneys often work on contingency, and federal civil rights statutes frequently allow a prevailing plaintiff to recover attorney fees from the defendant.

Questions to ask before you hire

• What deadlines and notice requirements apply against a government agency?
• How does qualified immunity affect my case?
• Do you take civil rights cases on contingency?

Read our full guide to civil rights law