Civil Rights Claims

Civil Rights Claims in McDonough

Civil Rights Protections in Georgia

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Everyone in the United States has civil rights guaranteed to them by the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, federal, state, and local laws.

Civil rights laws span a variety of issues including women’s rights, disability rights, and the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. If a person or institution violates these rights, you may be able to press charges.

Civil Rights Claims in McDonough

Some of the most well-known civil rights laws in the country include:

  • The First Amendment: establishes the rights to freedom of speech, assembly, religion, the press, and to petition the government
  • The Eighth Amendment: protects people from cruel and unusual punishment by the federal government
  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act: bans employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or nationality
  • Title IX: bans sex discrimination in educational systems and other programs that receive federal financial assistance

If the government itself has breached your civil liberties, you are also entitled to hold them accountable in court.

In McDonough, you have recourse if your civil rights have been violated. Scott Key & Associates can help you achieve justice.

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Schedule a confidential consultation.

Were Your Civil Rights Violated in Henry County?

Were Your Civil Rights Violated in Henry County?

If a person or entity violates your civil rights, you may be confused at first. It can be difficult to determine if this has happened – and important to remember that if it has, you are the victim of a crime.

Your civil rights may have been violated if you or a group of which you are a member was:

  • Discriminated against based on race, national origin, religion, gender or disability
  • Denied medical care based on race, nationality, religion, gender, or disability
  • The victim of an unlawful search or seizure
  • The victim of police brutality
  • Denied the right to peacefully assemble
  • Denied due process

If this has happened to you, you do not have to take it lying down. This injustice can be redressed, and an experienced attorney can help you build a case.

Civil rights laws are nuanced, and proving a civil rights violation is complex. While it is possible to represent oneself in a lawsuit involving a civil rights violation in McDonough, it is probably unwise.

Lawyers are trained to interpret laws and build a case based on knowledge of previous court decisions, also known as “precedent.”

Without an attorney’s knowledge of precedent, you could easily miss details that will weaken your case, or have it thrown out entirely.

If you believe you have a valid civil rights claim, contact a lawyer immediately.

Contact us today

schedule your free case evaluation

Everyone in Georgia is Protected by Civil Rights Laws

One segment of the population is especially vulnerable to civil rights violations: people who are suspected or accused of a crime.

Every person in the United States is entitled to their civil liberties, even if they committed, or are accused of committing, a crime.

Law enforcement officers, attorneys, judges, corrections officers, social workers, and more have all been known to violate the rights of those accused of crimes. This is illegal.

The United States justice system does not run on a “two wrongs make a right” philosophy; even people who have broken laws are entitled to their civil rights.

People in McDonough should be protected from the following:

  • Illegal Searches

The 4th Amendment of the Constitution protects people from unlawful arrests and searches. To investigate a person’s home, or another place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, the police must either have the person’s consent or a search warrant.

Occasionally, law enforcement will not obtain a warrant before performing a search. Or they may give fraudulent information to a judge in order to get the warrant, making it unenforceable.

Warrants must also specify the location and area that is to be searched, as well as what the evidence they are looking for.

If the warrant is not specific or if the police search a different location or seize property that is unrelated to the case, you may be able to bring a civil rights case against the police department.

Your electronic devices are also protected from illegal search and seizure. The data on your phone and laptop can only be accessed with a warrant, or in the event of an emergency where the device is necessary to prevent an imminent threat of injury.

Everyone in Georgia is Protected by Civil Rights Laws

  • Excessive Force

While most police officers follow their mandate to “protect and serve,” some do not. Law enforcement officers occasionally break the law and use excessive force against criminal suspects. This is illegal.

Excessive force causes injuries, as well as deaths. In recent years, high profile cases have shocked the public, and raised awareness of this crucial civil liberty.

In the United States, the police must use reasonable force when trying to detain a suspect. If you or someone you love was the victim of illegal treatment by a law enforcement official, they are entitled to press charges.

  • Depriving Medical Care to the Incarcerated
    Convicted criminals are entitled to humane treatment while they serve their sentences. If an incarcerated person is ill or injured while they are in prison, they have a right to receive medical care.

Denying medical care to a prisoner is considered cruel and unusual punishment and is a violation of the 8th Amendment to the constitution.

Contact us today

schedule your free case evaluation

You Could Be Compensated for a McDonough Civil Rights Violation

If you win a civil rights case, you may be awarded monetary reimbursement for the material and intangible consequences of your civil rights violation.

The monetary compensation that results from a lawsuit are called “damages.”

The amount you could receive depends on what rights were violated, whether you were physically injured, and other details concerning your specific case.

Common damages awarded in civil rights cases include:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical expenses
  • Emotional distress
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lawyers’ fees
  • Court costs

The court will consider the severity of the infraction against you, how long you suffered as a result, and other relevant details in order to determine how much you are owed.

Why You Need a Civil Rights Attorney in McDonough

Why You Need a Civil Rights Attorney in McDonough

Civil rights cases are not easy to prove. Unlike other crimes, such as assault, the effects can sometimes be invisible.

A lawyer’s expertise is essential to proving a civil rights violation occurred. Understanding the statutes involved in these cases requires a thorough knowledge of case law.

If you believe you were the victim of a civil rights violation in McDonough, contact our office right now. We are a boutique firm that will not shut you out of the process.

At Scott Key & Associates, we understand how overwhelming and confusing these situations can be. We will work with you every step of the way and keep you informed as we build your case.

There is a reason that civil rights breaches are often called, “violations;” they often feel violating and can be quite traumatic for the victim.

We understand how painful these transgressions are and will work to ensure you feel protected and supported while we fight for your rights.

McDonough’s Civil Rights Attorney

McDonough’s Civil Rights Attorney

Whether you were the victim of hiring discrimination, a violation of due process, harassment, or police brutality, you deserve to have your case heard.

Scott Key & Associates will work closely with you to make sure you receive not only fair compensation, but justice.

If you or someone you love is building a civil rights claim in Henry County, contact our office right now at (678) 610-6624.