If you believe that any of your civil liberties have been violated, you can take legal action against the party at fault. You have that right even when the other party is a police officer, or a public official. Of course, circumstances vary greatly for each case. A clear example of civil rights violation is discrimination on basis of race, religion, gender, or color, no matter whether that came from an employer or someone else. If you were subjected to unreasonable searches and unusual and cruel punishment, this is also a violation of your civil rights. In this post, we are sharing more on hiring an attorney and other aspects that matter.
Know your case better
Just because you believe that your civil rights have been violated doesn’t always mean you have a case. In some cases, the matter may not be worth taking legal action. Before you decide to file a lawsuit, meet an attorney who specializes in such cases. They can help you get a clear idea of what may have happened and your legal options. For some civil rights cases, you may be able to seek compensation, including punitive damages, but again, the facts and circumstances are always different.
Ask the right questions
If you are hiring a civil rights lawyer for the first time, you need to ask questions like-
- How long have you been working as a civil rights lawyer?
- What percentage of your practice is dedicated to civil rights cases?
- Will you work on my case personally?
- What is your fee structure like?
- What is the expected timeline of the case?
First things first, not all attorneys deal with civil rights matters, so experience and expertise are extreme factors here. Also, you need to know what the attorney can do for your case and if they are going to handle things personally. If there are multiple lawyers working for the same law firm, the eventual attorney working on the case may not be the one you meet. The cost of hiring a civil rights lawyer depends on the facts, but most attorneys either charge an hourly rate, or work on a contingency basis. If the lawyer works on a contingency basis, you don’t have to pay them until they win.
Consult an attorney for free
Many law firms offer free initial consultation for clients. Schedule an appointment to know what your case is worth, and more important, what you can expect from the legal action ahead.
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