Human Rights

A civil rights attorney is a person who advocates for individuals whose human rights have been violated, regardless of whether they are citizens of the United States or immigrants residing in the nation. These lawyers are professionals in the liberties that are granted to people in the Constitution and can be involved in both civil and criminal trials.

In addition, they advocate for social justice, and racial equality as guaranteed by U.S. legislation. They handle discrimination cases associated with age, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, and color.

Civil rights are the rights that citizens have to ensure political and social independence and equality. If a government worker violates an individual citizen's civil rights, that individual can file a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, also known as the Civil Rights Act of 1871, a federal law. A 1983 lawsuit is a civil rights lawsuit.

By Anita Johnson-Brown|The Los Angeles News

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