Austin Civil Rights Lawyer
The Civil Rights Acts are a set of federal statutes aimed at eliminating the problem of discrimination on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, or national origin. They prohibit, among other things, discrimination in the workplace and discrimination in the purchase, sale, and rental of housing. Although the problem of discrimination is still far from being solved, enforcement of the provisions of the Civil Rights Acts passed over several decades in both public and private arenas has undoubtedly helped to address the issue. Key sections and amendments of the Acts include:
- Title VII (of the Civil Rights Act of 1964)
- Fair Housing Act (of the Civil Rights Act of 1968)
- Section 1981 (of the Civil Rights Act of 1866)
- Section 1983 (of the Civil Rights Act of 1871)
Application of Civil Rights Laws
Although some of these federal statutes have been around for decades, a steady stream of amendments, additions, modifications, and re-interpretations ensure that discussion and controversy are never far away.
In 2008, for example, the US Supreme Court ruled that Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 could be used to prohibit retaliatory behavior by employers, upholding lower court precedent that had been used for years. The decision was a surprise for civil rights and business interests advocates alike; most had expected the opposite result.
Austin Civil Rights Cases
Arguing a civil rights case requires both experience and sensitivity. Austin civil rights lawyers The Melton Law Firm is available to assist you in handling your civil rights complaint. If your rights have been violated by an employer or housing provider, contact our civil rights lawyers of The Melton Law Firm today.
