Civil Rights Lawyer for Gaffney and Cherokee County
We all have important civil and constitutional rights at both the federal and state levels, but many people don’t know exactly what they are or what to do if these rights are violated. Often, civil rights claims relate to issues at work, landlord/tenant matters, or police misconduct. If you have a civil rights concern – or think you might – you shouldn’t hesitate to consult an experienced civil rights attorney.
Our Civil Rights
Our civil rights mean we have equal protection under the law and due process of the law.
Equal Protection
The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees us equal protection under the law, which means the state must treat all individuals and classes of people like all other individuals and classes of people under similar circumstances, which is also referred to as equal protection of the law. This protects us against legislation that would – without a rational reason for doing so – affect individuals or classes of people differently.
Due Process of Law
Due process of law, on the other hand, ensures that formal proceedings, such as judicial proceedings, must be carried out fairly and in accordance with established principles and rules.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Civil rights are designed to provide us with specific freedoms and to protect us from discrimination or any other form of unfair treatment by the government. The primary purpose of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is to shield individuals and groups from discrimination, which refers to mistreatment that is based on a specific characteristic. Federal law ensures that people and groups are afforded protections in relation to all the following characteristics:
- Age – when over the age of 40
- Sexual orientation
- Disability
- Religion
Further, the Act shields us from discrimination in each of the following categories:
- Employment
- Education
- Housing
- Public Services
Common Examples of Civil Rights Claims
Several basic categories are most closely associated with civil rights claims.
Employment Discrimination
While there are many protections in place in relation to the workplace, many employees fail to recognize that they’re the victims of discrimination at work. Common examples are when any of the following happen to an employee due to their age, sex, skin color, or any of the other protected characteristics:
- Being passed over for a promotion
- Getting fired
- Being denied a raise
Housing Discrimination
When landlords base their decisions about renting to people on matters that are protected characteristics or evict tenants based on those same characteristics, it amounts to housing discrimination, and it violates the tenants’ civil rights.
Police Misconduct
The police are there to keep the peace and to protect us in the process. When the police engage in brutality or excessive force, they overstep their boundaries and violate our civil rights.
Seek the Guidance of an Experienced South Carolina Civil Rights Attorney Today
Monier Abusaft is a determined civil rights attorney at The Law Office of Mo Abusaft – proudly serving both Gaffney and Cherokee Counties – who wants you to know that you have important civil rights and that they are well worth protecting. Learn more by contacting us online or calling us at 864-606-8941 today.