Virginia Civil Rights Lawyer
Were your civil rights violated? Halperin helps you fight back.
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What Are Civil Rights, and Who Protects Them?
In the United States, civil rights are a cornerstone of our democracy. Civil rights can be defined as personal rights guaranteed and protected by the United States Constitution and a body of various federal laws enacted over the years (for example, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990).
All citizens of the United States should enjoy the same, equal rights, as required by the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Some of these rights include:
THE RIGHT TO BE FREE OF ARREST WITHOUT PROBABLE CAUSE
THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM UNREASONABLE SEARCHES AND SEIZURES.
THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT.
THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM ABUSE BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
THE RIGHT NOT TO BE A VICTIM OF EXCESSIVE FORCE
THE RIGHT, IF INCARCERATED, TO HUMANE TREATMENT
THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE PEACEFULLY
Sadly, for some people, these basic rights can be trodden on and violated in acts of discrimination, violence, or other miscarriages of justice. A violation of civil rights occurs as a result of force or threat against an individual who is a member of a protected class. Some examples of civil rights violations include:
- Wrongful/false arrest or detention
- Excessive force by law enforcement or corrections officers
- Racial discrimination in the provision of law enforcement services
- The failure of a jail or prison to provide adequate medical care
- Search or seizure without probable cause
If you’ve suffered a violation of your basic rights, you are not alone. A civil rights lawyer in Virginia with Halperin Law Center can fight for you, no matter your economic status. At the Halperin Law Center, we can assist with a myriad of civil rights violations, including civil rights claims under Section 1983, which provides individuals with the right to sue state government employees and others acting “under color of state law” for civil rights violations.
When a police officer uses more force than that which is necessary for what he or she is authorized to do, they are deemed to be using “excessive force,” which can be a violation of a person’s Civil Rights. If the victim is injured as a result of the excessive force, the police department may be required to compensate them for damages. An officer may be violating someone’s Civil Rights if he or she unnecessarily assaults, causes harm, or fires his or her weapon at them. For example, a police officer may be within his or her right to handcuff a suspect who is under arrest; however the suspect’s Constitutional Rights may be violated if the officer were to then point a weapon at an unarmed and handcuffed individual. Whether or not there is a viable claim for damages depends on the reason(s) for the use of force, the intent or goal of the officer(s), and whether or not they had the authority to proceed with those goals.
Victims of police brutality may sustain injuries that cause them to incur financial damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages. Federal and State law may entitle them to compensation for pain and suffering, as well as for the humiliation and embarrassment that the police officer’s misbehavior has caused that person in the form of punitive damages in order to deter future misconduct.
False arrest is defined as a police officer physically detaining someone without the legal right to do so; therefore the validity of a false arrest claim depends on what authority an officer has in that particular situation.
It is unlawful for you to be detained based solely on your race, gender, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. You may not be searched or arrested unless the officer has a warrant or probable cause to assume that you have committed an offense. You are within your rights to remain silent if you are placed under arrest. You have the right to have an attorney present when questioned. If you feel that your Civil Rights were ignored and that you have been the victim of an unlawful arrest, The Halperin Law Center may be able to help you recover monetary damages.
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How Does a Civil Rights Lawyer Help?
Spotlight on Workplace Discrimination in Virginia
Facing discrimination in the work place is a scary thing. It doesn’t only impact you emotionally when you’re unfairly discriminated against: it can also have a significant impact on your finances and economic opportunities. As staunch advocates for the rights of all workers through the commonwealth, Halperin Law Center is ready to mobilize its resources, knowledge, and experience to help you recover fair compensation after a workplace discrimination event, or any other civil rights litigation matter.
All workers in the Commonwealth of Virginia enjoy the right to a workplace free of discrimination of any kind.
The Virginia Human Rights Act aims to preserve the general welfare of employees in the commonwealth by outlawing discriminatory practices. Specifically, it prohibits ocupational discrimination against yourself or any other worker on the basis of:
- Race
- Skin color
- Religion
- National origin
- Pregnancy Status
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Military status
- Medical conditions or disability
- Or similar
FAQ
Virginia Civil Rights Lawyer FAQ
Get Help from a Civil Rights Lawyer in Virginia
When someone infringes on your constitutional civil rights, the net effect is more than simply preventing you from enjoying the same liberties as others. Whether you’ve been unlawfully harmed by an agent of the state or discriminated against in the workplace, a dedicated and experienced civil rights lawyer in Virginia with Halperin Law Center can help you seek the full compensation due you under the law.
Call us at 804-207-9385, fill out the form at the bottom of this page, or click the buttons at the top or bottom of the page to request your free, no-obligation consultation.
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