Civil Rights

Selected Federal Laws: (Additional statutes, regulations & opinions may apply to your specific situation.)

• United States Constitution, First Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment.
• United States Code Title 18, Chapter 13, Civil Rights.
• United States Code Title 42, Chapter 21, Civil Rights.
• 42 USC § 1983. Civil action for deprivation of rights.
• 45 CFR Chapter VII, Commission on Civil Rights.

Minnesota Laws:

• Minnesota Statutes and Rules, index topic Civil Rights.

Federal Government Resources:

• United States Commission on Civil Rights.
• Information on Filing a Complaint, with the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
• Civil Rights Division, of the United States Department of Justice.
• How to File a Complaint, with the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice.

Minnesota State/Local Government Resources:

• Advocates for Human Rights. 
• Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
• Fact Sheets, (also translated into Hmong, Spanish, and Somali) from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
• File a Complaint, with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
• What is Protected?, from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
• Your Rights, from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
• Civil Rights Complaint - § 1983 form, Court Forms page from the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.
• Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights.
• St. Paul Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity

Books from the Library:

• Civil Rights Law and Practice - Harold S. Lewis & Elizabeth J. Norman KF4749 .L49 2004
• Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Litigation: The Law of Section 1983 - Sheldon Nahmod KF1325.C58 N34
• Civil Actions Against State and Local Government, Its Agencies, Officers, and Employees - West Group KF9065 .C582
• Federal Civil Rights Acts - Rodney A. Smolla KF4749.A745
• Police Misconduct: A Practitioner's Guide to Section 1983 - Wayne C. Beyer (2018) Main KF1307 .B49 2018
  
• Section 1983 Litigation: Claims and Defenses - Martin A. Schwartz KF1325.C58 S36
• Section 1983 Litigation Forms - John W. Witt et al. (2016 -) KF1325.C58 S36 2016
• Section 1983 Litigation in a Nutshell - Michael G. Collins KF1325.C58 C65 2016

Related Topics: Prisoners, Employment Discrimination.

DISCLAIMER:  As librarians and not lawyers, we can suggest resources but cannot give legal advice (such as which form to file), or legal opinions, (such as how a statute might apply to particular facts.)  To do so could be considered the unauthorized practice of law.  Even though we try to suggest materials that will be of help, further research is usually required to find a complete and correct answer.  For many questions, the best answer may be to consult an attorney.  For links to resources on finding an attorney click here.