Alabama Civil Rights Violations Attorneys

While our country has come a long way in the area of civil rights, we still have miles to go in some areas. At McPhillips Shinbaum, LLP, we believe that everyone is equal and is entitled to the same protections under the law.

If you feel that your rights have been violated, contact our experienced Alabama civil rights attorneys to discuss your case. When you aren’t provided with the freedoms and privileges that you’re entitled to by law, it’s time for a skilled attorney to step in and work to protect your rights.

What Are Your Civil Rights?

In the United States, every person is entitled to certain rights regardless of their age, sex, race, religion, or disability status. These civil rights, or liberties, include:

• Freedom of speech
• The right to vote
• Right to due process
• Right to a speedy and public trial
• Freedom from malicious prosecution or false arrest
• Freedom from cruel and unusual punishment
• Freedom from excessive bail or fines
• Equal protection under the law
• Privacy from unwarranted or unreasonable government intrusion
• Freedom of assembly

When you are denied any of these rights because you are part of a protected class, you are experiencing discrimination, which is illegal. For example, if you are denied the right to vote because of your race, this is a civil rights violation. The Alabama civil rights attorneys at McPhillips Shinbaum have over 38 years’ experience in these types of cases, and we will work vigorously to protect the rights of anyone whose civil rights have been infringed upon.

Alabama Police Brutality Cases

The police officers in our state, cities, and towns are charged with enforcing the laws of Alabama, keeping the peace, and protecting the public. Unfortunately, there are police officers in the state of Alabama that abuse the power they’ve been bestowed and who use their authority to hurt the very people they were entrusted to protect. These attacks violate the victim’s civil liberties and destroy the public’s trust in law enforcement.

An Alabama police brutality case involves the abuse of power or the use of excessive force by a police officer. This could include verbal abuse, physical abuse, or even the unlawful use of a weapon when it is not appropriate to the situation. Victims of police brutality often suffer from physical injuries as well as psychological trauma which could include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and lasting chronic nightmares.

Unlawful Search and Seizure Cases

“The right of the people to be secure … against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause…”

The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects citizens both against police brutality and unreasonable searches and seizures. If your car, home, or business has been searched illegally and you now face charges based on findings from that search, you need an assertive civil rights attorney on your side.

In today’s new era of the Patriot Act, these cases have become both more prevalent and more complicated. You still have rights living in the United States, and we understand what it takes to prevent an illegal search and to fight a conviction based on illegally obtained evidence.

Wrongful Conviction Cases

A wrongful conviction in any Alabama case can be devastating. This failure of our legal system could subject you to fines and penalties as well as the long-term consequences of a conviction on your record. Countless people in this country have been wrongfully convicted of crimes and falsely imprisoned due to police or prosecutorial misconduct.

If you have been wrongfully convicted, you need an aggressive and experienced attorney that can fight to overturn your case. Even if you have been exonerated, you might be able to file a civil rights lawsuit and ask for financial compensation. If you and your family have suffered because of a miscarriage of justice, contact our office to find out how we can put our vast resources to work on your case.

Victims of Hate Crimes

A hate crime occurs when a person threatens or commits a criminal act against another person based on that individual’s race, religion, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation. These crimes might include assault, harassment, robbery, vandalism, and even murder. Crimes that are motivated by hatred often have stiffer criminal penalties, but the victims have also had their civil rights violated by the perpetrator.

While hate crimes are both criminal acts, you might also be able to file a civil suit against the responsible party for damages. If you suffered injury or psychological trauma from a hate crime, an experienced Alabama civil rights attorney can help you pursue compensation as well as other available damages.

Have You Been a Victim of Discrimination?

A common civil rights violation in the U.S. is discrimination. For example, if an employer, business, or even a potential landlord discriminates against you based on your age, sex, race, national origin, or religion, you might have a civil rights violation case.

The important thing to know about some of these cases is that they could have a time constraint on them, as well as other requirements. For example, if an employer violates your rights, you must file a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 days of the alleged offense. Some state agencies, such as a housing department, might also have filing requirements. These are necessary before a civil rights lawsuit can be filed.

Help When You Are the Victim of Discrimination

The experienced Alabama civil rights attorneys at McPhillips Shinbaum, LLP have extensive experience in cases where the civil rights of individuals have been trampled upon by powerful entities. Our expertise in criminal defense cases provides us with the ability to spot some of these troubling issues in an existing case, which could aid in your defense. If you feel that your civil rights have been infringed upon in any way, let us work to obtain the security and compensation you deserve. Call our office at 334-262-1911 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.