The term “civil rights” comes from the Latin word ius civis which means “rights of citizen.” As an individual in the United States, you are guaranteed specific individual rights which are outlined in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. If, at any time, one of these rights has been violated, or you are seeking retribution, civil rights attorneys in Baytown, Texas can help protect you and your interests and help you seek any damages in return. Congress has responded to specific civil rights issues by passing civil rights acts. For example, in 1860, Congress created several new civil rights acts for people who were freed from slavery. The main purpose of civil rights in the United States is to protect people from any discrimination resulting from gender, sexual orientation, religion, mental or physical disability, race, national origin, or gender identity. The rights outlined in the First Amendment regarding freedom of expression, thought, writing, speech, and religion are also protected by civil rights. If any of these rights has been violated, you have the right to seek out an attorney to help protect you. You are also guaranteed rights that allow you to petition the government for grievances and the right to procedural due process of law. Civil rights attorneys often enter this field because they are passionate about a specific area. Many want to ensure that specific groups of people receive justice and equal treatment under the law; therefore, many only focus on one or two groups such as women’s right or LGBT groups. Often, those attorneys who specialize in civil rights also hold political or public service positions. You have the right to file a civil suit if your individual rights have been violated. You can choose to file a suit against a specific person or individual. Your lawyer will advise whether or not you have enough evidence to move forward with the case. He will then help prove that infringement did occur in hopes of a monetary settlement or award. A civil rights attorney’s job is to: -
Present civil suits to judges and juries in a court of law -
Investigate legal data -
Negotiate settlements using mediation -
Formulate legal briefs -
File appeals on behalf of the client in federal or state appeals courts The experience, employer, and location of where the civil rights attorney practices all determine salary. A civil rights attorney can expect to make anywhere between $69,000 and $145,000. Non-profit lawyers can expect to make less as with most non-sector employees. The FBI has a civil rights division that focuses on human trafficking and hate crimes. An entry-level employee in this career can expect to make around $50,000 whereas a private sector entrance employee can expect to start around $86,000. These types of cases often become high-profile cases; therefore, it must be necessary for the lawyer to be comfortable in the spotlight and use publicity to garner support for the case. Some high profile civil rights cases have been cases surrounding Trayvon Martin, gay and lesbian marriage rights, Emmett Till, Brown vs. Board of Education, and others. There are many situations in which a civil rights attorney is helpful and some that are not helpful. Some of these situations include unlawful search and seizure, perhaps during a traffic stop, cruel and unusual punishment, harassment or sexual harassment at the workplace or educational facility, losing a job or passed up for a promotion based on discrimination, etc. When a situation arises, and you are not sure if you need a lawyer, contact an attorney in Baytown, Texas to set up an appointment for a consultation.
Related Articles -
attorneys, Texas, baytown,
|