Civil Rights
Civil Rights
Harmeet Dhillon, the managing partner at Dhillon Law Group, explains what civil rights are.
Jonathan Shaw, partner at the Dhillon Law Group, talks about the importance of constitutional rights.
Meet the Attorneys Defending Your Constitutional Freedoms
Your political beliefs, your faith, your ethnicity, age, gender—these are essential to who you are, and you shouldn’t be treated differently or unfairly for them. It’s not uncommon for a government entity to restrict a particular group’s First Amendment rights to demonstrate peacefully or for an employer to mistreat individuals because of their age, race, gender, or sociopolitical beliefs. At Dhillon Law Group, we hold these freedoms in the highest esteem, and our relentless, experienced civil rights attorneys will stand by our clients until we achieve the justice they deserve.
Noteworthy Civil Rights Lawsuits
Brach V. Newsom
Brach V. Newsom
SBU Pentacostal v Newsom
SBU Pentacostal v Newsom
Gish v Newsom
Gish v Newsom
GONDOLA ADVENTURES V. GAVIN NEWSOM
GONDOLA ADVENTURES V. GAVIN NEWSOM
What is Civil Rights Law?
Constitutional amendments after the Civil War abolished slavery, making former slaves citizens of the United States of America. They also got the right to vote. However, some states in the South used some measures such as literacy tests and poll taxes to keep black citizens disenfranchised. These states also enforced the “Jim Crow” laws to segregate and discriminate.
Not a single civil rights act was passed for decades. Not until 1957 was a civil rights section of the Justice Department established. On June 11, 1963, President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation about civil rights. This led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark civil rights and labor law became effective on July 2, 1964. It eliminated discrimination based on color, race, religion, sex, or national origin and segregation in public places. This law gives you the right to file a complaint if you believe that you have been discriminated against in such a way.
Civil rights law now encompasses basic human rights guaranteed to all American citizens by the Constitution of the United States of America.
Your Civil Rights
According to the Americans with Disability Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, no employer can treat you unfairly because of your gender, race, ethnicity, age, disability, national origin or sexual orientation. Unfortunately, some individuals, companies and agencies violate the civil rights of a citizen.
For example, landlords or leasing offices; managers or supervisors at work; and local, state, and federal agencies are some of the parties that commonly violate civil rights. If an employer makes a job-related decision based on your gender, religion, race, national origin, or sexual orientation, this is a violation of civil rights law. Similarly, while making a decision, a seller, leasing office, or landlord cannot consider whether you belong to a protected class or not. Doing so is a violation of the Fair Housing Act. Local, state, and federal agencies also have to respect your civil rights.
In addition to federal laws, there are state laws in place to protect the civil rights of its citizens. It is important to choose an attorney well-versed in federal and state civil rights laws (Unruh Civil Rights Act). With law offices and attorneys in Florida, New Jersey, California, and New York, Dhillon is a nationally recognized civil rights law firm.
Categories of Civil Rights Law
The following are the three most common types of civil rights cases:
Employment Discrimination
Discrimination based on what you choose or do in private, or who you are is a violation of civil rights law. According to The Civil Rights Act of 1964, employment-related discrimination or segregation based on your color, race, sex, religion, or national origin is illegal. There are other Federal and States laws providing more protection to cover other factors such as sexual orientation, disability or age.
If an employer refuses to hire, fires, subjects you to a hostile work environment to drive you out or deprives you of growth (promotion) just because you belong to a particular section of the society, you can sue. You can approach one of the reputed civil lawsuit lawyers or civil rights law firms to file an employment discrimination lawsuit.
Housing Discrimination
Landlords, sellers or leasing offices often discriminate against people in protected classes. They are either denied housing or driven out. However, the Fair Housing Act 1968 provides fair access to housing. This act has been extended to cover discrimination against families with children. Landlords can discriminate in some other ways which are not illegal. For example, a landlord might say that they do not have enough space for you. So, you should talk to a civil rights attorney before filing a complaint.
Government Discrimination
Discrimination by governments and the police is the most pernicious form of discrimination. False stops, arrests, and imprisonments, police shootings and there are several other events which make this an area of great concern. When government agencies discriminate against you, you should talk to a civil rights lawyer to fight for your rights.
Civil Rights Lawyers
A victim of discrimination can hire a civil rights attorney for legal representation. A civil rights attorney is an attorney who handles cases related to discrimination, social freedom, human rights, and equality. For example, in some cases of discrimination, you can file a complaint directly with the government. However, in some cases, an investigating agency determines whether a lawsuit can be filed or not. This is where the valuable advice and services of civil right law firms can help.