What Is Civil Rights Law?

Use these links to jump to different sections:

• Civil Rights Law – What You Need to Know
• An Overview of Civil Rights Law
• Common Questions for a Civil Rights Attorney
• Finding the Right Attorney for Your Needs

Federal and state laws exist to protect Americans from discrimination. If you have been discriminated against by an employer or a government agency and seek to bring a claim under the applicable law, you are using civil rights laws. These laws have created legal remedies for those suffering from unfair treatment by the government or even private parties in some cases.

The following overview offers some examples of significant civil rights federal legislation that the federal government passed in the 20th century, in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement and other social advances. You can use this overview to help you evaluate whether you have a case and decide whether you should speak with a lawyer and pursue legal action.

Civil Rights Law – What You Need to Know

• Civil rights laws are created through court cases and federal legislation to protect people from discrimination.
• If your civil rights are interfered with, you might have a legal claim and may be able to recover monetary damages.
• Where you will file your case depends on whether the right was created by federal law or state law, and it will depend on whether you are a member of a federally protected class or a state-protected class.
• Where you will file your case depends on whether the right was created by federal law or state law, and it will depend on whether you are a member of a federally protected class or a state-protected class.

An Overview of Civil Rights Law

Civil rights laws aim to promote equal treatment and protect people from discrimination. If your civil rights are interfered with, you might have a legal claim and may be able to recover monetary damages.

Laws

Civil rights laws generally focus on protecting people from discrimination. These laws are created in Congress, common law court cases, and U.S. Supreme Court decisions. These laws create groups of people called “protected classes,” including age, sex, race, color, national origin, and religion. The first primary civil rights legislation followed the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution after the U.S. Civil War. These constitutional amendments ended slavery, established due process and equal protection under the law, and expanded the right to vote, respectively.

Since then, numerous civil rights cases and federal laws have been enacted to protect against discrimination and ensure equal protection and opportunity for minorities—from the elimination of poll taxes and literacy tests in voting to desegregation in public schools to employment discrimination protections for members of the LGTBQ community. Major laws in this area include:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: protects employees from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and religion.
• Voting Rights Act of 1965: prohibited racial discrimination against voters.
• Age Discrimination Act of 1975: prohibits discrimination based on age.
• Fair Housing Act: protects buyers and renters from discrimination because of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): allows employees to take time off for health care needs such as taking care of a new child or sick family member.

These are all federal laws, which means they create a national baseline. States can pass their own protections against discrimination, offering more protection than federal laws do. For example, many states have extended protections to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, or expression.

Claims

If your civil rights have been violated, you may be able to file a claim to recover damages. Where you will file your case depends on whether the right was created by federal law or state law, and it will depend on whether you are a member of a federally protected class or a state-protected class.

State and federal claims may require you first to file your claim with the appropriate agency. For example, if you allege a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, you might need to start with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If your state has an agency that enforces a similar equal rights law, you may also want to consider filing your claim there. It would help to evaluate whether filing in one agency will bar you from filing in another.

After the relevant agencies complete their investigations, your case may be referred to the Attorney General of your state or in the Department of Justice for court proceedings.

Common Questions for a Civil Rights Attorney

Below are some common questions you might want to consider when meeting with an attorney for the first time.

1. What qualifies as a civil rights violation?
2. Can I sue for civil rights violations?
3. Who do I sue for civil rights violations?
4. What is the difference between civil rights and civil liberties?

Finding the Right Attorney for Your Needs

It is crucial to approach the right type of attorney—someone who can help you through your entire case. To do so, you can visit the Super Lawyers directory and use the search box to find a lawyer based on your legal issue or location.

To help you get started, you may want to consider looking for a lawyer who practices civil rights law.

Should I Talk to a Civil Rights Lawyer?

A civil rights attorney will help you protect your rights by evaluating your claim and determining the best place to file the case and the agencies you need to file with first. Your lawyer will help you understand the pros and cons of filing in state or federal court and whether filing with one agency will prevent you from filing with another. A lawyer will also help you gather the necessary documentation and interview potential witnesses to strengthen your case.

A lawyer will anticipate potential problems with your case and advise you on how to approach them. Your lawyer will also keep track of deadlines and file all the paperwork with the necessary courts and agencies, giving you one less thing to worry about.