Civil Rights & Violations
In 2019, civil rights violations were among the five most frequently filed personal injury claim types in New York City, totaling 1,435 in that year alone. Between March 2018 and March 2019, federal civil rights filings increased 7% as claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act increased 28% and those concerning housing and accommodations increased 20%.
With this information in mind, it can benefit you to learn about civil rights and what you can do if yours have been violated.
A civil right is defined as an enforceable legal right or privilege that stems from notions of equality. It protects people from suffering unfair or discriminatory practices. Most, if not all, governments at the local, state and federal levels have civil rights provisions that aim to provide citizens equal protection under the law. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a notable federal statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability and religion in various areas. Similarly, the State of New York enforces the civil rights of all its residents by investigating and prosecuting discrimination in a variety of areas, such as:
- Education
- Employment
- Credit
- Housing
- Public accommodations
- Voting
- Certain federally-funded and conducted programs
The Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office strives to ”combat discrimination faced by all New Yorkers, particularly among the most vulnerable individuals in [the] state.” To accomplish this, the Bureau educates people about civil rights issues by participating in community outreach activities and encouraging people to file a complaint upon a violation of their civil rights.
Examples of civil rights matters handled in New York include:
- Disability Rights
- Equal Educational Opportunity
- Fair Housing
- Fair Lending
- Human Trafficking
- Immigration Services Fraud
- LGBT Rights
- Voting Rights
- Notable Settlement Agreements
- Stop and Frisk
According to the FBI, the most common civil rights violations involve color of law violations and racial violence, such as physical assaults, homicides, threats and desecration of property. “Color of law” includes acts done by law enforcement and public officials in addition to local, state or federal level officials that overstep the bounds of their authority. For instance, color of law violations include:
- Excessive force
- Sexual assault
- False arrest and obstruction of justice
- Deprivation of medical care
- Failure to keep from harm
Were Your Civil Rights Violated?
Civil rights are a cornerstone of our nation’s prosperity and have helped countless Americans enjoy the equality they deserve. As you could see from the statistics, unfortunately, civil rights violations are all too common in New York and throughout the US. Although government and law enforcement officials do everything they can to eliminate civil rights violations, their efforts have yet to prevail.
That’s why our Bronx civil rights violation lawyer will go above and beyond to protect your rights and best interests while formulating an effective, strategic legal case on your behalf. Whether you were subjected to police brutality or false arrests, our team is ready to fight for you. At The Law Offices of Elliot S. Kay, we work to end the injustices experienced by our clients no matter what it takes.
Contact us at (646) 759-9233 today!