New York Civil Rights Lawyer

A civil right is an enforceable right or privilege, which if interfered with by another gives rise to a cause of action. Examples of civil rights are freedom of speech, press, and assembly; the right to vote; freedom from involuntary servitude; and the right to equality in public places. Discrimination occurs when the civil rights of an individual are denied or interfered with because of their membership in a particular group or class. Various jurisdictions have enacted statutes to prevent discrimination based on a person’s race, sex, religion, age, physical limitation, and national origin.

The most important expansions of civil rights in the United States occurred as a result of the enactment of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States. In response to the Thirteenth Amendment, various states enacted “black codes” those were intended to limit the civil rights of the newly free slaves. In 1868 the Fourteenth Amendment countered these “black codes” by stating that no state “shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of the citizens of the United States… [or] deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, [or] deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

Often employees, applicants or other affected individuals will assert violations of their civil rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the NYSHRL and NYCHRL and in some cases, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, 42 U.S.C. §1981 and/or Civil Rights Act of 1871, 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The Sanders Firm, P.C., is experienced in handling such matters.

If you feel that your civil rights have been violated, or would like to have an attorney review your documents to ensure that your rights are protected, contact the New York Civil Rights Lawyer at The Sanders Firm, P.C., 800-371-4835 today.

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