The majority of Americans share certain rights. However, not every right is codified into law. Each state, and the federal government, chooses which rights receive legal protections. These rights are commonly referred to as civil rights. Violators of these rights may be named in a civil rights lawsuit.

Only certain rights receive protection under civil rights and anti-discrimination laws. These rights are known as protected rights. The law provides that you cannot be discriminated against on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, religion, or military status. Consulting with a civil rights lawyer is your best option if you feel your civil rights have been violated. He or she can help you determine whether a civil rights violation occurred.

The federal government created civil rights laws to protect individuals from unfair treatment and discrimination. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reports that color of law violations and racial violence are the most typical civil rights violations. However, there are many other examples of civil rights violations, including: