Civil Rights Law Litigation

Salt Lake City Civil Rights Law Attorneys

Under the Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution), federal legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and applicable state statutes, all Americans have civil rights and civil liberties that must be preserved and protected. Yet too often these rights are flagrantly ignored. If your civil rights or liberties have been violated, reach out to us at Christensen & Jensen. We can assess your situation to determine whether you have a solid case, and advise you on the appropriate next steps.

Civil Rights Attorneys in Utah

THE MOST EXPERIENCED CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEYS IN UTAH

Christensen & Jensen’s civil rights attorneys have represented individuals, law enforcement officers, and other governmental entities and their employees in numerous civil rights disputes, at both the federal and state level. Our civil rights attorneys understand the delicate balance that needs to be maintained between the U.S. Constitution, the Utah Constitution, and the rights and obligations of law enforcement and employees of governmental entities. Given our unique understanding of the dynamics involved in civil rights disputes, our civil rights attorneys are especially adept at handling almost any type of civil rights dispute that may arise.

Our civil rights practice is chaired by Karra J. Porter, one of the most experienced civil rights lawyers in Utah (Porter is also the President and Managing Director of Christensen & Jensen). Our civil rights team works hard to stay up to date on the latest legal precedents, and are well respected in the legal community of judges and officials that preside over civil rights cases.

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Christensen & Jensen’s Civil Rights Litigation Services in Utah

Our attorneys’ expertise includes civil rights cases that involve:

Law Enforcement / Justice System Violations

  • Excessive Force and Other Police Misconduct
  • False Arrest
  • Improper Use of Police Dogs
  • Jail Conditions Violations
  • Jail Abuse and Medical Treatment
  • Malicious Prosecution and Abuse of Process
  • Police Shooting
  • Police Brutality
  • Police Tasing (Tased by Police)
  • Prison Abuse, Conditions, and Medical Treatment
  • Rights Violated by Police
  • Unreasonable Search and Seizure
  • Wrongful Convictions
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Other Civil Rights Violations

  • Freedom of Speech (First Amendment) Violations
  • Due Process and First Amendment Retaliation Claims by Government Workers
  • Due Process, Equal Protection, and First Amendment Retaliation Claims by Citizens
  • Employee Harassment and Discrimination
  • Housing Discrimination
  • Education Discrimination
  • Racial Discrimination
  • Switched at Birth Cases
  • Voter Access Discrimination
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Often a violation of civil rights involves discrimination. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a notable example of a federal law aimed at preventing discrimination. Other examples include:

  • Equal Pay Act
  • Voting Rights Act
  • Age Discrimination in Employment Act
  • Fair Housing Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
  • Equal Educational Opportunities Act
  • Rehabilitation Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act
  • Age Discrimination Act
  • Civil Service Reform Act
  • Immigration and Nationality Act
  • Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
  • Congressional Accountability Act
  • Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
  • Reconstruction Statutes
Scales of Justice

Civil rights law is also based on precedent case law that interprets the meaning of legislation and helps determine how the law applies to a given dispute. Additionally, state constitutions and other state civil rights legislation serve as a supplement to existing federal protections. In some states, like Utah, the state constitution may provide greater civil rights protection than the U.S. Constitution.

Civil rights are designed to ensure that all citizens are treated equally, without respect to ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs, and other protected categories. Civil rights also guard against overly intrusive conduct by the government. Government actors are prohibited from making arbitrary or capricious decisions or depriving citizens of their lives, liberty, or property without due process of law. Civil rights violations may give rise to a host of civil and criminal penalties, including lawsuits for monetary damages.

While civil rights laws are primarily aimed at protecting citizens’ individual or collective rights, they are also intended to provide protections for employees of law enforcement or other government entities.

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CHRISTENSEN & JENSEN’S CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEYS

REVIEWS

Barry Scholl has been counsel for my high-end fashion and gift shop for a number of years. He has helped us with leases and other contracts, company trademarks and other issues. Barry works hard to understand his clients’ needs and is always happy to answer our questions or to deal with time-sensitive matters. We recommend him highly to fellow business owners.

Sheridan Mordue

Owner/President
Hip and Humble Inc.

Barry Scholl has been counsel for my high-end fashion and gift shop for a number of years. He has helped us with leases and other contracts, company trademarks and other issues. Barry works hard to understand his clients’ needs and is always happy to answer our questions or to deal with time-sensitive matters. We recommend him highly to fellow business owners.

Sheridan Mordue

Owner/President
Hip and Humble Inc.

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For Matters That Count, We’re Your Team.

Christensen & Jensen is a Salt Lake City-based full-service law firm specializing in litigation and trial advocacy. Our award-winning attorneys represent clients throughout Utah and surrounding states in a wide array of matters.

Our firm is unique because we have vast experience representing plaintiffs pursuing claims, and defendants mounting defenses in various settings including investigation, pre-litigation, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, traditional litigation, trial, and appeal.

Salt Lake City Office
801-323-5000

257 East 200 South, Suite 1100
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

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