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Law

How Do I File a Civil Rights Lawsuit?

Nicole Madison
By
Updated May 17, 2024
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To file a civil rights lawsuit, it is typically best to seek the help of a lawyer. A civil rights lawyer can inform you of the procedures you have to follow before you file the lawsuit with the appropriate court. The attorney may also help you to evaluate your chances of proving your case. Once you’ve decided to move forward with the civil rights case, an attorney will typically file a complaint to initiate the lawsuit.

When you want to file a civil rights lawsuit, you may do well to start by seeing a lawyer right away. This is due to the fact that some types of civil rights violations may require you to file a claim with the government prior to filing the lawsuit. For example, in some jurisdictions, you must file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission if you have faced some type of work discrimination. You must then obtain a right-to-sue letter from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before you file in court. The procedure for filing this type of lawsuit does vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, however, and an experienced lawyer will be able to tell you which steps you have to take.

Seeking a lawyer's advice may also help you to evaluate the strength of your case before you file a civil rights lawsuit. As such, it is usually important to choose a lawyer who specializes in civil rights cases and has long experience with them. He can, based on his experience, let you know whether he thinks you have a good chance of winning and inform you of what you will need to prove your case. Additionally, he may have strategies in mind for obtaining a satisfactory outcome in your civil rights lawsuit.

To initiate a civil rights lawsuit, your lawyer will usually have to file a complaint in court. A complaint is a legal document that includes your name and contact information as well as your lawyer's name and an explanation of the reason you are suing. It will also include the name of the defendant in the case and his contact information, such as a mailing address. The defendant in the case also must receive a copy of the complaint. Depending on where you file the lawsuit, you and your attorney may have the responsibility of ensuring that he receives it.

After you file a complaint, you will usually receive a date on which the court will hear your case. Both your attorney and the defendant’s will have an opportunity to argue the case in court. It is important to note, however, that some civil rights cases are settled out of court.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Nicole Madison
By Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGEEK writer, where she focuses on topics like homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. Her passion for knowledge is evident in the well-researched and informative articles she authors. As a mother of four, Nicole balances work with quality family time activities such as reading, camping, and beach trips.
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Nicole Madison

Nicole Madison

Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGEEK writer, where she focuses on topics like...
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