Protecting Your Civil Rights

At Ives & Flores, P.A., we are dedicated to fighting for the civil rights of our clients. Our team of experienced attorneys has the skills and knowledge to successfully handle civil rights cases at both the federal and state levels.

Civil rights protections are embedded in the New Mexico and United States constitutions, as well as in state and federal laws, such as the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the New Mexico Human Rights Act. These protections are intended to ensure that no one is unfairly discriminated against, to permit freedom of speech and religion, to protect voting rights, and to ensure that individuals are not subject to unlawful restrictions on their liberty or property, or subject to illegal state violence.

At Ives & Flores, P.A., we have the necessary expertise to handle a wide range of civil rights cases, including:

• Police and correctional officer misconduct: If you have been subjected to police or correctional officer misconduct or abuse of power, we can help you hold the responsible parties accountable and seek damages for any harm you have suffered.
• Employment discrimination: If you have been subjected to discrimination or harassment in the workplace because of your race, religion, gender, or any other protected characteristic, we can help you hold your employer accountable and seek damages for any harm you have suffered.
• Public accommodation discrimination: If you have been discriminated against or denied access to a business or a public place or service because of your race, religion, gender, or any other protected characteristic, we can help you fight back and seek damages for any harm you have suffered.
• First Amendment violations: The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and similar provisions of the New Mexico Constitution protect our freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. If your rights have been violated by a local, state, or federal government official, our attorneys can help you fight back and defend your rights.

Suing State And Local Governments And Their Employees

At Ives & Flores, P.A., our attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals and holding governments and government actors accountable for their actions.

When the person who has harmed you is a state or local government actor, filing suit is complex, as government actors have special forms of legal immunity. You need an expert attorney on your side. Our attorneys focus on bringing lawsuits pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, the New Mexico Civil Rights Act, and the New Mexico Tort Claims Act. These laws provide a means for individuals to seek justice and hold government actors accountable for violating their rights.

42 U.S.C. Section 1983 is a federal law that allows individuals to sue state and local government officials, as well as private individuals acting under color of law, for violating their federal statutory or constitutional rights. This includes the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, the right to due process, and the right to equal protection under the law, among others.

The New Mexico Civil Rights Act is a state law that provides similar protections to those found in 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, but applies specifically to violations of the New Mexico Constitution. It allows individuals to bring civil lawsuits against government actors who have violated their state constitutional rights, and provides for damages to be awarded to the plaintiff if the lawsuit is successful.

The New Mexico Tort Claims Act is a state law that allows individuals to bring lawsuits against the state or a local government for damages caused by the negligence of a government employee in some instances, and of intentional acts of wrongdoing in others. This includes cases of police misconduct and other instances where a government employee causes personal injury or property damage while acting within the scope of their employment.

If you believe that your civil rights have been violated, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. Our attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals and are ready to fight for justice on your behalf.

From our office in Albuquerque, we welcome attorney referrals and inquiries from individuals throughout New Mexico. Our civil rights defense team also represents workers who have been subjected to employment discrimination and retaliation for whistleblowing. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 505-364-3858 or complete our online form. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help.