Civil Rights Law Attorney in Seattle, Washington

Civil rights law is designed to ensure equal social opportunities and protect individuals from unjustified action by government agencies, law enforcement officers, and other people. Such rights include the right to vote, privacy, free speech, religion, assembly, a fair trial, freedom of thought, protection from unlawful discrimination, and equality. If you believe that your civil rights have been violated, you may be eligible to seek relief by filing a civil rights claim.

At The Law Office of Dan N. Fiorito III, I have devoted my career to advocating for the rights of individuals whose civil liberties have been violated. As a skilled Washington civil rights law attorney, I can investigate all of the facts of your unique circumstances and explore your possible legal options to seek damages. Using my in-depth legal knowledge, I will fight vigorously to protect your best interests and help pursue the justice you deserve.

The Law Office of Dan N. Fiorito III is proud to serve clients throughout Seattle and all of Western Washington, including Tacoma, Bellevue, the Puget Sound area, and Everett.

Laws That Protect Your Civil Rights

Under the U.S. Constitution, every individual has basic rights. The purpose of these civil rights laws is to protect citizens from abuse or discrimination. Here are some notable civil rights laws:

Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights explains the rights of Americans with respect to their government. It comprises the first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

The First Amendment provides the right to express ideas through speech and the press, to peacefully assemble, and to ask the government to fix problems.

The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms.

The Third Amendment prevents the government from compelling homeowners to allow soldiers to use their homes.

The Fourth Amendment prevents the government from unreasonable search and seizure of an individual or their private property.

The Fifth Amendment protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy and guarantees the rights to due process, grand jury screening of criminal indictments, and compensation for the seizure of private property under eminent domain.

The Sixth Amendment provides the right to a speedy and public trial, to be informed of your criminal charges, and to trial by an impartial jury.

The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases.

The Eighth Amendment prevents exorbitant bail and fines as well as cruel and unusual punishment.

The Ninth Amendment provides that people still have other rights aside from the ones spelled out in the Constitution.

The Tenth Amendment provides that the federal government only has the powers delegated in the Constitution.

13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution

Congress passed the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on January 31, 1865, to outlaw slavery before the end of the Civil War. The Thirteenth Amendment provides that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, nor any place subject to their jurisdiction."

The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1868. This amendment guaranteed all citizens equal protection of the laws and granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including people who were formerly enslaved. The Fourteenth Amendment provides that "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

The Civil Rights Act of 1964

In 1964, Congress passed Public Law 88-352 to put an end to employment discrimination and segregation in public places. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, or national origin.

Washington Law

Every individual in the State of Washington has civil rights. There are local, state, and federal laws that are designed to protect everyone's rights to fair treatment, including in voting, housing, employment, education, credit, insurance, and public accommodations. Washington law ensures that all individuals are eligible to receive equal treatment under the law.

Common Civil Rights Violations

For over 15 years, I have devoted my career to helping individuals stand up for their rights. I'm proud to represent clients in a wide range of civil rights violation cases, including, but not limited to:

• Excessive use of force

• Unreasonable search and seizure

• Wrongful arrest

• Due process violation

• Equal protection violation

• First Amendment violation

• Employment discrimination

• Wrongful death

If you feel that your civil rights have been violated, you need to reach out to a skilled attorney straight away. I can investigate the surrounding facts of your case, file a claim or lawsuit on your behalf, and make sure such an act of prejudice doesn't go unpunished.

Section 1983 Actions

Section 1983 is a means of enforcing civil rights. It provides that an individual has the right to sue state government employees and others acting "under color of state law" for violation of civil rights. If your rights were violated by a state or local government official, you may bring an action to stop the improper conduct or pursue monetary damages.

How Legal Counsel Can Help

Civil rights cases often involve a lot of complexities and may be difficult to prove. In order to seek relief, you must establish that your rights were violated and that you suffered injury as a result of the violation. A knowledgeable civil rights law attorney can help you understand your rights and determine the best course of action.

At The Law Office of Dan N. Fiorito III, I'm committed to offering experienced legal counsel and vigorous representation to clients in their civil rights claims. As your legal counsel, I can review every aspect of your case, conduct a thorough investigation, and figure out all your possible options to seek damages. Also, I will fight vigorously to protect your best interests and take appropriate legal action to pursue the relief to which you're entitled.