Civil Rights Overview

Civil Rights Resources

Related Practice Areas

What are civil rights?

Civil rights provide basic freedoms to individuals and seek to achieve the equal enjoyment of rights and privileges. Civil rights manifest in various forms. One civil right is the entitlement to equal treatment, or equal protection of law, regardless of an individual's membership in a protected category. This civil right covers protection from discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, age, and disability, among other things. Civil rights also include various personal freedoms, such as the right to privacy, to free speech, to vote, to partake in political action, and to peacefully protest. Additionally, civil rights encompass the right to receive due process and, for those suspected of a crime, to receive a fair investigation and trial.

Civil rights overlap with civil liberties. Civil liberties can, however, be distinguished from civil rights in that civil liberties largely encompass those rights which protect against the infringement by government upon personal freedoms, such as the right to religious freedom and the freedom of speech.

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Featured Cases AddThis Feed Button

  • Allen v. American Apparel, Inc.
    Plaintiff Woody Allen alleged that Defendant American Apparel, Inc. used Plaintiff's image and likeness for advertising purposes without permission or consent.
    New York Southern District Court
    Trademark
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Plaintiff: Woody Allen; Defendant: American Apparel, Inc.
    Last Docket Report Change Found: May 9, 2008

    (May 8, 2008)
  • BIG HAT BOOKS et al v. PROSECUTORS:
    Plaintiffs Big Hat Books, Boxcar Books and Community Center, Inc., American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana Foundation, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, Association of American Publishers, Entertainment Merchants Association, Freedom to Read Foundation, National Association of Recording Merchandisers, Great Lakes Booksellers Association, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association challenges the constitutionality of House Enrolled Act No. 1042, which requires that persons and entities that intend to offer for sale or to sell literature and other matters deemed harmful to minors under Indiana law register with the Secretary of State and pay a fee.
    Indiana Southern District Court
    None
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Plaintiff: BIG HAT BOOKS, BOXCAR BOOKS AND COMMUNITY CENTER, INC., AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF INDIANA FOUNDATION, AMERICAN BOOKSELLERS FOUNDATION FOR FREE EXPRESSION, ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN PUBLISHERS and others...; Defendant: PROSECUTORS:
    Last Docket Report Change Found: May 7, 2008

    (May 6, 2008)
  • National Federation of the Blind et al v. Target Corporation
    Plaintiff National Federation of the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind of California, and Bruce Sexton alleged that defendant Target Corporation violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, and California's Blind and Other Physically Disabled Persons Act because its website contains thousands of access barriers, such as the lack of alt-text on graphics, inaccessible image maps, and mouse-only driven transactions that make it difficult if not impossible for blind customers to use.
    California Northern District Court
    American with Disabilities - Other
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Plaintiff: National Federation of the Blind, National Federation of the Blind, National Federation of the Blind, National Federation of the Blind, National Federation of the Blind and others... Defendant: Target Corporation, Target Corporation, Target Corporation, Target Corporation, Target Corporation and others...
    Last Docket Report Change Found: December 31, 1969

    (February 5, 2008)
  • Riches v. Jewish Mossad et al
    Plaintiff alleges that the Jewish Mossad, Central Intelligence Agency and Larry King Live are engaged in a vast conspiracy to hijack plaintiff's torso, 3 toes and his constitutional rights and ship them to a secret headquarters in Concord, New Hampshire. Plaintiff further alleges that the Jewish Mossad told him personally that they were going to hang him to a cross next to Jesus Christ, that Larry King Live is a voodoo witch doctor who stole his identity and purchased lead paint, Chips Ahoy, Planters peanuts and Ziplock bags under his identity, and that the CIA conspired with the Uniform Commercial Code to steal his strawman identity.
    New Hampshire District Court
    Prisoner: Civil Rights
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Plaintiff: Jonathan Lee Riches; Defendant: Jewish Mossad, US Central Intelligence Agency, Larry King Live
    Last Docket Report Change Found: December 31, 1969

    (September 6, 2007)
  • Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America v. University of Michigan
    Plaintiff Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America alleges that Defendant The University of Michigan fails to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 at the University of Michigan Football Stadium.
    Michigan Eastern District Court
    Civil Rights: Americans with Disabilities - Other
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Plaintiff: Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America; Defendant: University of Michigan
    Last Docket Report Change Found: December 31, 1969

    (August 9, 2007)

Dockets AddThis Feed Button

  • Holmes v. Okum et al
    Pennsylvania Middle District Court
    Other Civil Rights
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Plaintiff: Dorcas Holmes; Defendant: Paul Okum, Patricia Compton, Jackie Noble

    (May 8, 2008)
  • McMahon v. City of Riviera Beach et al
    Florida Southern District Court
    Other Civil Rights
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Plaintiff: Mary McMahon, Mary McMahon Defendant: City of Riviera Beach, Jennifer Nubin, Beach Place 2000,Ltd.

    (May 8, 2008)
  • Nickols v. Werley et al
    New Mexico District Court
    Other Civil Rights
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Plaintiff: Curtis Nickols; Defendant: Brian Werley, Richard Evans, JENNIFER JARA, Roger Legendre, Raymond Del Greco and others...

    (May 8, 2008)
  • Housen v. American Business Personnel Services, Inc.
    Ohio Southern District Court
    Employment
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Plaintiff: Tiana Housen; Defendant: American Business Personnel Services, Inc.

    (May 8, 2008)
  • Parker v. Sodexho
    Alabama Northern District Court
    Employment
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Plaintiff: Carl Parker; Defendant: Sodexho

    (May 8, 2008)

Legislation AddThis Feed Button

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  • Proposed Rule - Disparate Impact Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
    Proposed Rule
    Disparate Impact Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act,
    16807-16809 [E8-6517]
    EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 29 CFR Part 1625 RIN 3046-AA76 Disparate Impact Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (``EEOC'' or ``Commission'') is issuing this notice of proposed rulemaking (``NPRM'') to address issues related to the United States Supreme Court's decision in Smith v. City of Jackson. The Court ruled that disparate... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (March 29, 2008)
  • Proposed Rule - Privacy Act Regulations
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
    Proposed Rule
    Privacy Act Regulations,
    16806-16807 [E8-6551]
    EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 29 CFR Part 1611 Privacy Act Regulations AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is proposing to revise its regulations at 29 CFR Part 1611, which implement the Privacy Act of 1974, to exempt one of its systems of records from one of the Act's requirements. DATES: Written comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before May 30, 2008. The Commission proposes to... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (March 29, 2008)
  • Proposed Rule - Nondiscrimination Enforcement on the Basis of Disability in Programs or ...
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
    Proposed Rule
    Nondiscrimination Enforcement on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Conducted by EEOC and Commission Electronic, etc.,
    9065-9068 [E8-2863]
    EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 29 CFR Part 1615 RIN 3046-AA82 Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Accessibility of Commission Electronic and Information Technology AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC or Commission) proposes to amend its regulation to establish that... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (February 18, 2008)
  • Rule - Procedural Regulations Under Title VII and ADA
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
    Rule
    Procedural Regulations Under Title VII and ADA,
    3387-3389 [E8-826]
    EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 29 CFR Part 1601 RIN 3046-AA83 Procedural Regulations Under Title VII and ADA AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is eliminating three bases for dismissal of charges in its procedural regulations because they are no longer needed to accomplish the Commission's case management goals. DATES: Effective Date: February 19, 2008 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas J.... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (January 17, 2008)
  • Rule - Age Discrimination in Employment Act: Retiree health benefits
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
    Rule
    Age Discrimination in Employment Act:
    Retiree health benefits,
    72938-72945 [E7-24867]
    EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 29 CFR Parts 1625 and 1627 RIN 3046-AA72 Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Retiree Health Benefits AGENCY: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is publishing this final rule so that employers may create, adopt, and maintain a wide range of retiree health plan designs, such as Medicare bridge plans and Medicare wrap-around plans, without violating the Age Discrimination in... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (December 25, 2007)

Government AddThis Feed Button

  • Notice - Meetings; Sunshine Act
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
    Notice
    Meetings; Sunshine Act,
    26395 [E8-10134]
    EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meeting Agency Holding the Meeting: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Date And Time: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Place: Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Conference Room on the Ninth Floor of the EEOC Office Building, 1801 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20507. Status: The meeting will be open to the public. Matters to be Considered: Open Session: 1. Announcement of Notation Votes, 2. Change to EEOC Order 110.002, Reorganization... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (May 8, 2008)
  • Notice - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
    Notice
    Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals,
    21133-21134 [E8-8496]
    EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Agency Information Collection Activities AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Notice of Information Collection--no change: State and Local Government Information (EEO-4). SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announces that it intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for a three-year extension of the existing collection as... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (April 17, 2008)
  • Notice - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
    Notice
    Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals,
    21132-21133 [E8-8495]
    EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Notice of Information Collection--No Change; Elementary-Secondary Staff Information Report EEO-5 AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. SUMMARY: In accordance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announces that it intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for a three-year extension of the existing collection as listed below. DATE:... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (April 17, 2008)
  • Notice - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
    Notice
    Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals,
    21132 [E8-8481]
    EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Agency Information Collection Activities AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Notice of Information Collection--no change: Local Union Report (EEO-3). SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announces that it intends to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request for a three-year extension of the existing collection as described below. DATES: Written... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (April 17, 2008)
  • Notice - Privacy Act of 1974; Publication of Notice of Proposed New Systems of Records and ...
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
    Notice
    Privacy Act of 1974; Publication of Notice of Proposed New Systems of Records and Amendment of Systems to Add New System Managers,
    16852-16855 [E8-6619]
    EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION Privacy Act of 1974; Publication of Notice of Proposed New Systems of Records and Amendment of Systems To Add New System Managers AGENCY: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ACTION: Notice; Publication of Notice of Proposed New Systems of Records and Amendment of System of Records. SUMMARY: This notice proposes two new systems of records, and amends an existing system of records. The changes implement EEOC's personal identification verification (PIV)... [read document]
    View Document | Download PDF

    (March 29, 2008)

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Blog Posts AddThis Feed Button

  • Faith Group Sues Over California Limits On Its Use of Park To Feed Homeless
    In Orange County, California, an interfaith religious group, Welcome INN (Interfaith Needs Network), has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state's limits on public assemblies and demonstrations in state parks. According to a press release by the ACLU, when the group attempted to set up supplies in a Doheny State Park picnic area in order to offer a meal to the homeless, a park ranger told them to disperse, citing California Administrative Code, Title 14, Sec. 4321...
    (May 8, 2008)
  • Group Seeking To Set Up Test Case On Tax Code Non-Profit Limits
    Today's Wall Street Journal reports that Alliance Defense Fund is attempting to create a constitutional test case to challenge the tax code limits on church involvement in political campaigns. It is seeking 40 to 50 houses of worship to take part in a protest on Sept. 28. ADF is asking clergy to preach sermons on that day about candidates in the November election. Under the Internal Revenue Code, churches and other charitable groups can be fined or lose their non-profit tax status if they...
    (May 8, 2008)
  • Be Here, Behave, Be Learning -- Be Sued
    Lawsuits certainly have a knack for bringing people-and information-out of the woodworks. In March, the ACLU Racial Justice Program and ACLU of Georgia filed a lawsuit against the Atlanta Independent School System (AISS) and Community Education Partners (CEP), the for-profit company contracted since 2002 to run AISS's disciplinary alternative school to the tune of almost $7 million a year. The lawsuit accuses the school-whose motto, if you can believe it, is "Be Here, Behave, Be Learning"-of...
    (May 7, 2008)
  • Former Execution Volunteer Joins ACLU Lethal Injection Suit
    On October 15, 2007, the State of Nevada was set to execute by lethal injection death-row inmate William Castillo, who had abandoned his appeals and volunteered for execution. In late September, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear the case Baze v. Rees, to decide the constitutionality of Kentucky's lethal injection protocol. Attempting to prevent Nevada from carrying out an execution that would violate the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment, the ACLU's Nevada affiliate,...
    (May 7, 2008)
  • Shocking: Khadr Hearings Hit Another Roadblock
    The government's prosecution team has been trying to pressure Judge Peter Brownback, the military commission judge at Guantánamo, to hurry along the trial of Omar Khadr, the now-21-year-old Canadian Guantánamo detainee accused of lobbing a grenade that killed U.S. Special Forces medic Christopher Speer. Khadr was 15 when he was captured. News from Guantánamo this afternoon tells of Brownback expressing frustration with the prosecution for not providing the necessary documentation showing the...
    (May 7, 2008)