🚨 Critical Legal Notice
- Statute of limitations: Generally 2–3 years from violation date
- Qualified immunity: Applies unless rights were clearly established
- Evidence: Request body cam footage and medical records promptly
- Municipal liability: Monell doctrine imposes special requirements
Choose Your Civil Rights Violation Type
Each type of constitutional violation has specific legal requirements and elements that must be proven. Select the scenario that best matches your situation.
Police Excessive Force
Officers used unreasonable or excessive force during arrest, stop, or encounter
Common Examples:
- Unnecessary tasing or pepper spray
- Beating or physical assault
- Chokehold or restraint injuries
- Police brutality during arrest
False Arrest & Wrongful Detention
Arrested without probable cause or detained based on fabricated evidence
Common Examples:
- Arrest without probable cause
- Fabricated or planted evidence
- Ignored alibi or exculpatory evidence
- Mistaken identity arrests
- Defective warrant arrests
Illegal Search & Seizure
Unlawful search of person, vehicle, or property without warrant or valid exception
Common Examples:
- Warrantless home search
- Illegal vehicle search
- Unlawful property seizure
- Violation of search warrant scope
Jail/Prison Conditions
Unconstitutional treatment or conditions while incarcerated
Common Examples:
- Denial of medical care
- Cruel and unusual punishment
- Unsafe living conditions
- Guard assault or misconduct
First Amendment Retaliation
Punished for exercising freedom of speech, religion, or assembly
Common Examples:
- Arrested for filming police
- Retaliation for complaints
- Punishment for protests
- Religious freedom violations
Due Process Violations
Deprived of life, liberty, or property without proper legal procedures
Common Examples:
- Inadequate legal proceedings
- Denial of court hearings
- Property seizure without process
- Licensing/permit violations
Government Discrimination
Treated differently by government officials based on protected characteristics
Common Examples:
- Race-based police targeting
- Religious discrimination
- Gender-based treatment
- Selective enforcement
Malicious Prosecution
Prosecuted without probable cause or with malicious intent
Common Examples:
- Charges filed without evidence
- Fabricated evidence used
- Prosecution despite known innocence
- Abuse of prosecutorial power
EEOC Discrimination Charge
File a formal charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for workplace discrimination
Common Examples:
- Race, color, or national origin discrimination
- Sex, gender, or pregnancy discrimination
- Religious discrimination
- Age discrimination (40+)
- Disability discrimination
- Retaliation for protected activity
Need Help Choosing?
Constitutional violations often overlap. If you're unsure which category fits your situation, start with the most serious violation or the one that caused the most harm. You can include multiple violations in a single complaint.