Understanding Civil Rights

Imagine being pulled over for a routine traffic stop, only for the situation to escalate into an arrest or injury. Or consider getting a call in the middle of the night that your incarcerated family member has been severely injured. 

Don’t we have rights? How can this happen? 

The short answer is, yes! But, what truly constitutes a civil rights violation? Understanding the difference between personal feelings of injustice and the legal qualifiers of a violation of your civil rights is fundamental for seeking justice and accountability.

What Qualifies as a Violation of My Civil Rights?

A civil rights violation occurs when someone using government authority infringes upon your rights and freedoms, guaranteed by the law. That includes police officers, ICE agents, prison guards, prosecutors, and others acting on behalf of a government agency. When an agent abuses that power, civil rights legal protections provides you a way to stand up for yourself or a loved one.

An abuse of power can look like the use excessive force during interaction with law enforcement, being detained without a legal reason, being targeted because of your race or religion, or being denied medical care while in the custody of a prison. These experiences aren’t just unfair, they are violations of your constitutional rights: the first amendment, due process, equal protection, and protection against unlawful searches or seizures.

If a government institution has violated your rights, you may have legal grounds to fight back. 

Why is Understanding Civil Rights Law Important? 

We lose our freedoms if we don’t USE our freedoms. 

Using the legal system to hold accountable those who violate your civil rights and hopefully to prevent those in positions of authority from abusing that authority.  

Shining a light on these abuses of power by the agencies intended to protect us holds them accountable and ultimately reinforces the strength of civil rights protections.  

At KW Law in St. Louis, we focus on real solutions for people dealing with the aftermath of their civil rights being violated – specifically through excessive force by law enforcement or abuse while incarcerated. If you believe your civil rights were violated, call (314) 288-0777 or find us at kwlawstl.com. We’ll help you take clear, informed steps to hold the right people accountable. Your rights matter. Let’s defend them together.

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Khazaeli Wyrsch, LLC

At our firm, we are committed to safeguarding the rights of individuals through two key areas of practice: Civil Rights and Immigration Law. While these are distinct legal fields, both are united by a common goal—protecting individuals from abuses that threaten their fundamental rights and freedoms. Our Civil Rights team concentrates on addressing cases involving police misconduct and the excessive use of force by law enforcement. At the same time, our Immigration team guides families of U.S. citizens through the complexities of the federal immigration system, helping loved ones live and work legally in the United States.

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