Civil rights and the federal courts

Under federal law, a citizen who has been injured due to the unlawful act of a government official possesses a civil right of action. The federal law giving citizens this right is commonly referred to as “section 1983,” based on the law’s place in the U.S. Code: 42 U.S.C. 1983. This law states, in abbreviated form:

Every person who, under color of [law], subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured [. . .]

Section 1983 is used to enforce a wide array of federal rights. These cases include such things as being arrested by a police officer without probable cause; excessive force by a police officer; sexual harassment of a government employee by a high-ranking official; and racial discrimination in government employment.

James Radford and the attorneys at Parks, Chesin & Walbert have significant experience in civil rights law. If you live in the metro Atlanta area, or anywhere in the state of Georgia, and feel you may have experienced a violation of your civil rights by a government official, please give us a call to set up a consultation. Our number is (404) 873-8000.