Atlanta Civil Rights Lawyer

Atlanta Civil Rights Attorney

It is important to always remember that your civil rights are the center of this country’s democracy. Every single United States citizen is afforded certain rights that cannot be violated by any governmental body, place of business, or law enforcement. Yet, there are often times when someone attempts to undermine and violate these rights, resulting in a terrible situation. If your civil rights are violated, you should reach out to an Atlanta civil rights lawyer immediately.

Justice for All People

At Merritt & Merritt, our law firm has earned an excellent reputation for our state and local civil rights work. From handling local civil rights cases involving people injured by police, to handling false arrest cases, or even police brutality involving a death, our attorneys have the knowledge, skill and commitment to handle the most complex cases.

If you or a loved one have been injured or wronged by a police officer, a sheriff’s deputy or any government entity, we encourage you to contact us immediately.

Why Hire a Civil Rights Lawyer?

Being the victim of a civil rights violation can be infuriating, embarrassing, painful, and sometimes quite motivating. When someone infringes on your rights as an American under the Constitution and makes you feel inferior, it can summon a fire inside you that cannot be stopped. Hiring an aggressive civil rights lawyer can stoke that fire.

Challenging a civil rights violation can be next to impossible on your own, as you may be taking on powerful companies and organizations. An experienced civil rights lawyer from Merritt & Merritt knows the most effective way to challenge powerful organizations who have wronged you. With a good lawyer by your side, you stand a much better chance of succeeding in your case.

Representation in All Civil Rights Law Matters

Our lawyers handle all civil rights law matters for people in Atlanta, throughout Georgia, and in Florida. This includes cases involving:

• Police Brutality
• Wrongful Convictions
• Excessive Force
• False Arrest
• A Reputation for Civil Rights Work

Attorney Lorenzo Merritt, who leads our firm in this area of law, has been recognized by the State Bar of Georgia for his contributions, among other honors, for his civil rights and human rights work.

Experienced Civil Rights Attorneys

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, never represents government agencies or big insurance companies. We only represent individuals and groups who have been wronged by those agencies. Our commitment is to use the law to the best of our ability in order to get justice.

Our law firm has practiced in the area of civil rights law for over 50 years. We have a solid record that includes positive results in very challenging cases. Litigation against large government entities and fortune 500 companies requires a law firm with experience. These cases often involve challenging questions of constitutional law.

Contact Us for a Free Case Review

Call our Atlanta civil rights attorneys at 404-975-1775 or send an email. We handle most civil rights cases on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing until we win.

Taser and Stun Gun:

One important thing to remember is that the reasonableness of the officer’s actions is viewed not with hindsight, but from the perspective of a reasonable officer at the scene of the tasering. Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 396 (1989).

Excessive Force:

Whether the police officer’s actions were excessive is determined by using a reasonableness standard viewing the facts and circumstances of the specific situation confronting the officer. Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989). Whether the force used is reasonable or not is determined by comparing the individual’s right to be free from unlawful seizures with the countering interest of officer and public safety.

Common Civil Rights Violations

In the United States, civil rights are crafted from a combination of federal and state legislature that seeks to provide Americans with freedom from discrimination and other infringements. Yet, these problems persist in virtually every state in the U.S., including Georgia. If you ever find yourself experiencing one or more of these situations, you should immediately reach out to a civil rights lawyer:

• Workplace Discrimination: Under Georgia state law, it is illegal to discriminate against anyone in the workplace if they belong to any protected class, including race, religion, skin color, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, religion, ancestry, and age. Doing so could result in significant legal action against the employer due to civil rights violations.
• Denial of First Amendment Rights: The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees every American citizen freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and press. These are essentially the first freedoms that Americans were afforded. Generally, most entities, companies, individuals, and organizations cannot infringe upon these rights without serious legal pushback from civil rights lawyers.
• Police Brutality: In a perfect world, police officers would never infringe upon a person’s civil rights while doing their job; however, it happens often. Every year, there are many instances of police officers engaging in unnecessary or excessive force, abusing their authority, and permanently injuring people in the name of the public good. In some cases, police officers may even use torture and other forms of abuse to hurt others.

  If you are ever injured, violated, or tortured by a police officer, it is vital that you get in contact with a civil rights lawyer as soon as possible. You may be able to recover compensation from the police department for your injuries and play an instrumental part in police reform.

• Prison Rights: While many inmates are behind bars because they violated the law, they are still human beings who are granted basic civil rights. Those rights are often violated in prisons, jails, and other detention facilities. Inmates are often abused, denied medical care, or subject to horrible conditions as forms of punishment.

FAQs

Q: Does Georgia Have a Civil Rights Act?

A: No, the state of Georgia does not have a specific civil rights act beyond the federal legislation passed in 1964. The state does, however, have a number of civil rights laws, including employment practice legislation, disabilities codes, and equal pay acts. It is still illegal to infringe upon another person’s civil rights in the state of Georgia, and you should contact a lawyer if it happens to you.

Q: What Is a Civil Rights Violation?

A: A civil rights violation occurs when basic freedoms that are granted to you under state and federal law are infringed upon, denied, or outright abused by somebody who seeks to hurt you. Some examples of civil rights violations include workplace discrimination, police brutality, racial discrimination, and prison abuse, among other potential violations. If you are concerned that your civil rights have been violated, contact a civil rights lawyer immediately.

Q: What Does a Civil Rights Lawyer Do?

A: A civil rights lawyer advocates for groups and individuals who have had their rights violated under local, state, or federal law. They primarily focus on ensuring justice, equality, and protection against discrimination, often handling cases involving workplace discrimination, police misconduct, freedom of speech, and other violations of civil liberties. A civil rights lawyer can assess your claim, advise you on your rights, and advocate for you in negotiations or court.

Q: What Is Not Allowed Under the Civil Rights Act?

A: Under the Civil Rights Act, discrimination of any kind is not allowed in any U.S. state. The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964 to prevent anyone from being subject to discrimination based on race, skin color, gender identity, religion, or national origin in public places. The act prohibits segregation and discriminatory treatment in the workplace, federal programs, and public areas like restaurants, stores, and hotels.

Reach Out to an Experienced Civil Rights Lawyer at Merritt & Merritt Today

Enduring a civil rights violation can be an embarrassing and degrading situation to find yourself in. When your rights as an American are infringed upon, it can make you feel like you are less than others. If you ever find yourself being denied your basic civil rights, it is vital that you speak with a civil rights lawyer to find out what your options are, whether you have a solid claim, and how you should proceed with your case.

The legal team at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm understands how difficult it can be to build a civil rights case. We can help you develop your case, gather the evidence you need, and make sure your interests are protected throughout the legal process. Contact us to schedule a consultation as soon as you can. If you have further questions or need to discuss a potential claim, contact us at 404-975-1775 or via our free case review form.