Experienced & Passionate Civil Rights Attorney Maryland

It’s an unfortunate reality that even in the modern age when many believe discrimination to have been irradicated, the role of a Civil Rights attorney in Maryland is still an active one. Despite the United States’ history of slavery and racial inequality, protecting peoples’ rights based on their class or group is an important part of our democracy.

In fact, civil rights are considered to be sacred. Even the term “civil rights” by itself can evoke strong emotions and moral judgments.

When an individual’s civil rights are denied based on their gender, race, disability, etc., it is considered discrimination. Most people instinctively feel that these violations are grounds for a lawsuit, even if they haven’t studied the law. However, you cannot protect your rights if you do not know what they are.

If your rights have been violated in a discriminatory event or a situation like police brutality, a civil rights attorney in Maryland can help.

Choosing a Civil Rights Attorney in Maryland

When you feel you have been the victim of discrimination or your civil rights were violated in any way, a civil rights attorney in Maryland can help you assess the situation and file a legal claim.

Attorneys Mirriam Seddiq and Justin Eisele of Seddiq Law are dedicated to standing up for the rights of their clients and helping them achieve justice.

Civil rights lawyers in Maryland understand the expansive laws designed specifically to protect individuals from discrimination. These are the rights of individuals to receive fair treatment when it comes to securing housing or employment, the criminal justice system, education, public accommodations, and more, despite their age, race, gender, religion, and so on.

If you experience a violation of your rights, such as being subject to unreasonable search and seizure, excessive force, or discriminatory practices, you have options. A civil rights attorney in Maryland at Seddiq Law will listen to your experience and help you move forward in the legal system if you have a case.

Depending on the details of the situation, civil rights attorneys in Maryland may encourage you to pursue a civil case, as well as a criminal one. For example, if you were the victim of police brutality or excessive force, the offending officer may face criminal charges, but you may also be able to pursue a civil lawsuit.

Overall, there are two primary types of lawsuits: criminal and civil. The goal of a criminal case is to convict and punish the person accused of a crime. The purpose of a civil case is to provide financial compensation and a sense of justice to injured victims. 

Civil cases can encompass several practice areas. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Complaints against attorneys, doctors, etc.
• Estate planning
• Family law
• Landlord/tenant disputes
• Wrongful death claims

Civil rights cases generally focus on discrimination and harassment lawsuits.

A person does not have to be convicted in a criminal trial to face and lose a civil lawsuit. Often when a victim or their family feels that the criminal system failed them, they will turn to the civil courts. Contact an MD civil rights attorney to discuss any cases related to disability, gender, race, and other protected groups.

Civil rights laws were designed to provide all national citizens with equal protection, regardless of their age, gender, race, ability, sexual orientation, and societal class. Under U.S. civil rights laws, your employer, any government agency, any school or university, or other institution, has no right to violate your civil rights. 

These rights are largely mandated through federal legislation, such as the following:

• Age Discrimination Act of 1975
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Fair Housing Act
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Voting Rights Act of 1965

Civil rights decisions have also come about from the U.S. Supreme Court and states passing their own laws. For instance, certain states may have passed additional protections on top of what the federal government has done. One example of this is with civil rights protections for LGBTQ people.

Violations of civil rights and discrimination include unfair treatment directed against someone based on their age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion, or sexual orientation. 

Discrimination can take on many forms, including:

• Discrimination in education
• Employment discrimination
• Hate crimes
• Housing discrimination
• Police brutality
• Police shootings
• Racial, ethnic, or religious profiling
• Unlawful arrests
• Unlawful termination of employment because of age

If you feel that your civil rights have been violated, you may have grounds to file a case. By acting quickly, you can expedite your claim. This helps reduce mistakes due to misplaced evidence and forgotten or incorrectly remembered facts and details.

Call a reputable MD law firm for a free consultation as soon as you can.  

If you have been injured or abused due to hate crimes or police brutality, a civil rights discrimination attorney can make a stressful and challenging situation more manageable.

Civil rights laws were created so all individuals could enjoy equal treatment in various scenarios without fear of discrimination. Although they do not ensure that a person will never be harassed or suffer from civil rights violations, they do protect individuals pursuing education, employment, and equal opportunities for housing, lending, and voting. Over the years, there have been many U.S. civil rights advancements and changes.

Claims of police brutality have been on the rise. A local lawyer with practice areas in multiple facets of civil rights will understand the relevant laws and how they apply to your case.

How to Pursue a Civil Rights Case of Police Brutality or Excessive Force

Being the victim of misconduct, brutality, or excessive force by officers whose job is to protect you can be traumatizing. Depending on the details, the actions may require criminal charges or might be deemed a civil rights case.

When someone in a position of authority has injured you, there are specific steps you should take to establish a trail of the facts:

1. If your case involves a personal injury, immediately request medical care. Delaying may be used against you by insurance companies and the defense.
2. Gather evidence, including copies of any police reports or medical records, witness names and contact numbers, and their written or recorded descriptions of the events.
3. If applicable, file your insurance claim within 24 hours of receiving your physical injury.
4. Browse through local lawyers to find the right one for your case. Choose one with ample experience and a proven track record. You may be working with them for a while.
5. Then, your lawyer will help you file your claim. Your initial complaint may need to be filed with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.

Whether your case goes through a criminal trial during which you will likely have to testify or straight to civil court, there are several deadlines and requirements throughout the process.

Once the courts accept the claim of a civil rights violation, there will be a period within which the defendant has the opportunity to respond. Since it directly affects their reputation and perhaps their ability to continue working in law enforcement, they will likely deny the violation.

Your lawyer will then file a civil rights lawsuit against the defendant. They will be your advisor, advocate, and spokesperson during all courtroom interactions.

If you believe your civil rights have been violated for any reason, you may be able to file a legal claim. Scheduling a free consultation with a lawyer from a local law office at any phase of a Baltimore, MD civil rights litigation process can increase the chance of receiving fair financial compensation for your case.

Working with a civil rights lawyer in Baltimore, MD 21202, can help you feel less alone when you are facing the justice system. Once you become a client, an experienced attorney will help determine what laws apply to your case and seek compensation for your pain and suffering. If your rights have been violated, don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation with Seddiq Law.