"Violation of civil rights" can have different meanings to different people. First you need to know if the activity is illegal, and if you are protected. It is virtually impossible for you to pursue a civil rights claim yourself. A civil rights claim requires an analysis of the law that is generally beyond most people without legal training. 

If you suspect that your rights have been violated, review this section and contact attorney who specializes in the area. In some instances, there are organizations concerned about the issue of civil rights in general or on behalf of certain groups.

Selected Topics

• If you are stopped by the police: Guidance from the American Civil Liberties Union.
• Employment discrimination
• Housing discrimination

Human Rights

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights, by the United Nations and its member states. 
• The United States policy on Human Rights.

What is meant by "Civil Rights"? - Civil rights generally refers to the rights that individuals living in the United States have under the United States Constitution , certain federal laws, the Maryland constitution and certain state laws. Under the federal constitution, the Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to address concerns about the balance between the federal government and a concern for the protection of individual rights. Currently there are 27 amendments to the Constitution, some of which deal with additional protections for individuals.

Federal Protection - If you believe that your civil rights have been violated, there are several federal laws that give you the right to sue under certain circumstances. Read more on making a claim under the federal law.

Source Maryland Legal Assistance Network, with Sarah Kelly, law librarian, University of Maryland School of Law.  Updated by the Maryland State Law Library (MSLL).

Last date reviewed (no legal content) 4/25/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)