If you believe that any of your civil rights have been violated, you can pursue legal action. There are many textbook examples of civil rights violations – unreasonable searches by law enforcement, abuse by a public official, and discrimination on basis of factors like age, sex, gender, race, color, and/or religion. In your best interests, you may want to consult a civil rights lawyer, and in this overview, we are sharing the important aspects worth knowing.
Why do you need a lawyer?
Hiring a civil rights lawyer is not necessary by law. Having through the legal system and fighting for your rights may be easier said than done. When you want to petition the government, or file a discrimination lawsuit against your employer, you have to go prepared. That’s where an attorney can help. A skilled attorney can give you an outline of your circumstances, legal options available, and what you can expect from the lawsuit. More importantly, they can help in determining whether you have a valid civil rights case in the first place. Of course, your lawyer will take care of the paperwork and everything else related to your legal action.
How to find the right civil rights attorney?
- Ask around. If you know people who have worked with civil rights attorneys in your area or city in the past, get references. There are also websites like Avvo that can help in sorting your options.
- Use the free consultation option. Most attorneys do offer free initial case evaluation, and this consultation session is a great way of knowing your lawyer. You can also get an overview of the case.
- Expertise counts. What percentage of a lawyer’s practice is dedicated to civil rights cases? Experience and expertise are key factors to fighting such legal battles, and you need to know the type of cases the lawyer usually handles.
- Ask about landmark cases. If a civil rights attorney claims to have done some good work, do ask about their top cases. As a prospective client, you can ask for references, as well.
- Costs matter. Besides the fee of the attorney, you may have litigation and investigation expenses to manage. In selected cases, the attorney may actually pay for these costs, provided they are working on a contingency basis. In that case, you don’t pay the lawyer until you win.
Check online now for best-rated civil rights attorneys and ask for an appointment today.
