Protecting Your Rights And Holding Those With Power Accountable
The right to free speech is one of the hallmarks of American freedoms, but some people are surprised to learn that it doesn’t always apply. For example, prisoners don’t have First Amendment rights in the same way that others have. Prisoners have to deal with...
Protesting has long been a way for people to show their dissatisfaction and desire for change. Several historical protests have signaled an end to the status quo and the beginning of a new era, such as the Boston Tea Party or the Montgomery Bus Boycott. By peacefully...
Police officers have the authority to arrest civilians, but they must do so lawfully and within the bounds of the law. It is possible for police to violate someone’s rights by performing a wrongful arrest. For example, there was a case in which a person wanted to file...
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was a groundbreaking law when federal legislators first adopted it. The FOIA helps ensure that journalists, lawyers and members of the public can gain access to government records. The transparency generated by the FOIA helps...
The United States Constitution provides very specific protections for individuals in this country. The Fourth Amendment is one specific area that most people need to ensure they understand because it has to do with what constitutes a lawful search and seizure. One...
Government entities do have the right to create certain rules and regulations that must be followed. However, it’s illegal for them to set up rules that violate constitutional rights, such as the right to free speech, guaranteed by the First Amendment. A recent case...
When someone dies due to the wrongful actions of police or government officials, families may have grounds to pursue justice under federal law. Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act is a powerful legal tool to address constitutional violations by state and local...
Use-of-force incidents have long been a subject of public concern – and rightfully so. While many police officers adhere to safety protocols designed to minimize harm, an Associate Press investigation reveals some alarming patterns in which these guidelines are...
Both federal and state laws protect the right of the public to access records maintained by government entities. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal law that protects the rights to many government records. Those who need local records in New Mexico can...
Accusations of police brutality may involve psychological intimidation or verbal abuse, but they most commonly center around physical abuse. The police may have used physical force on a suspect who then claims it was a violation of their rights. This can be a complex...