What does a civil rights lawyer do?
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 cases
- Police misconduct and excessive force
- False arrest and malicious prosecution
- Disability access (ADA)
- Housing discrimination
- Prisoners’ rights
- First Amendment claims
When should you hire 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 much does a civil rights lawyer cost?
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 in your consultation
- 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?