At times it seems that there might be some confusion as to what constitutes civil liberties or civil rights. Ultimately what civil rights come down to are equal social opportunities that are protected regardless of who you are, what you look like, where you come from, or what you believe. At Maxwell Tillman, we know that not everyone is treated appropriately according to their civil rights and believe that they're worth fighting for. If you’re unsure if you’ve had your civil rights violated, keep reading for five examples.

You lost a job or were passed over for a promotion due to discrimination

The job of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is to enforce civil rights laws according to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. This means that employers cannot legally discriminate against any person while hiring, firing, giving promotions, training, as well as providing benefits and deciding wages. Discrimination can be based on their color, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities, sex, age, genetic information, or nation of origin.

You were abused by a public official

If you’ve committed a crime, you will have to do the necessary time to pay your debt to society. This is how our justice system works. Part of this system includes the right to a fair court trial. If you’ve been abused by a public official as a part of the arresting process or otherwise, they have dealt undue punishment to you that is not a result of a fair court trial. The American justice system functions on the belief that those accused of a crime are guilty until proven guilty and public officials do not get to be the judge and jury.

You were the victim of cruel and unusual punishment

If you or a loved one have been incarcerated, you still have inalienable rights that pertain to your well-being. Cruel and unusual punishment includes punishment that is unacceptable due to pain, suffering, and/or humiliation. This includes any punishment that is beyond what is deemed necessary for a crime and includes guard brutality, excessive force, and unsanitary or overly restrictive living conditions. Additionally, a punishment that is unnecessarily severe may not be enacted if a less severe punishment is more effective in rehabilitation.

You were the victim of unreasonable searches and seizures

In order to have your home or property searched by the police, they must have a warrant. Are there exceptions to this law? Yes, there are. These exceptions include giving your consent to search, if the evidence is in plain view, a search in immediate conjunction with an arrest, or not performing a search would lead to an immediate threat to public safety. If a search or seizure does not fall into any of these categories, it was illegal.

You were discriminated against based on a superficial quality or belief

As previously stated, no person may be discriminated against based on how they look or what they believe. This includes color, race, religion, ethnicity, country of origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, and disability. Discrimination can go beyond being fired from or not getting a job but extends to harassment. Furthermore, harassment can include sexual harassment, a hostile work environment, or even online or in public.

Contact Maxwell Tillman for a free consultation

If you feel that you’ve been had any of your civil rights violated, call Maxwell Tillman today. You can reach us by calling 205-216-3304 to set up an appointment for your free consultation. If you'd prefer, send us a message using our contact form to get started. Our team will fight for you as your civil rights lawyer and won’t charge you any fees until we win your case.