Freedom of speech and expression, voting rights, women’s rights, disability rights, and LGBT rights are examples of rights that come under civil rights.
When a Civil Rights Attorney Comes into the Picture
Many a time, civil rights lawyers specialize in one of the above areas. When a person feels that his constitutional rights have been unduly infringed upon or violated, he has the right to file a civil suit against the other person or organization. This is where a civil rights lawyer takes over.
Representation of a Client in Dispute
During a one-on-one consultation, a civil rights lawyer will explain the rights of his client as well as the entire procedures for filing a civil rights suit. The client then may hire the attorney to represent him in the case. It is the job of the attorney to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the infringement on the individual’s rights of his client did occur, and seek monetary compensation for his client in return.
According to the civil rights attorney job description, the job involves:
- Investigating legal data
- Formulating legal briefs
- Presenting cases to judges and juries
- Deciphering laws and rulings for individuals or businesses
- Filing legal appeals in federal and state courts
- Negotiating settlements of dispute
- Committee for Civil Rights
Talking of civil rights, we may mention Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, a non-profit civil rights organization formed in 1963 at the behest of President John F. Kennedy. It is tasked with the sacrosanct duty of redressing cases of civil rights violations and delivering justice to victims. Based in Washington DC, this committee handles cases including environmental, fair housing, employment discrimination, equal educational opportunities and so on and so forth.
The Case in Texas
An interesting case study of historical issues of civil rights is found in Texas. In this South American state, the question of civil rights generally revolves around the state's two ethnic minorities - Mexican Americans and African Americans. The former have made tireless efforts for improved political circumstances since the beginning of Anglo-American domination of Texas in 1836, while the latter have fought for civil rights since their emancipation from slavery in 1865. Hundreds of civil rights lawyers involved in these cases are known to have delivered landmark legal services to thousands of Texan clients.
Handling of High-Profile Cases
Professional civil rights attorneys are expected to be capable of handling high-profile cases since certain civil rights cases, especially those involving public figures, attract a lot of publicity. In such cases, these attorneys have a moral duty to use the publicity to educate the public on civil rights issues.
Conclusion
A great civil rights lawyer knows the client he represents inside out, his concerns and his needs. But it is up to us to hire such a lawyer so that we can shape the best possible legal outcome in civil rights cases. Leverage the services of these legal experts. Never give up.
