Every person has certain civil rights stating how he or she may and may not be treated at the hands of government officials. When an employee or agent of the government violates a person’s civil rights, there may be a remedy under the law to recover damages resulting from the violation of those rights.
The most pertinent federal law that protects your constitutional rights against government misconduct is 42 USC Section 1983. Section 1983 gives private citizens the right to sue the government and its employees for constitutional violations.
