Civil Rights Violation Lawyer Baltimore, MD

Civil Rights Violation Lawyer Baltimore, MD

In Maryland and every state in the U.S., you have the right to be free from unfair treatment based on your race, religion, gender, etc. You have the right to free speech. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to education. You might be familiar with these statements, but do you know whether they are considered to be a civil right or a civil liberty? Perhaps you hadn’t even known there was a difference between the two terms. Although most people will use civil rights and civil liberties interchangeably, the terms are significantly different. Knowing them might help you to understand any corresponding laws and how they might affect a case you’re involved in. For more detailed information, contact a civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, MD turns to from the Greenberg Law Offices.

What is the difference between civil rights and civil liberties?

Civil Rights
The protection of civil rights is a core value of the United States democracy. Civil rights are extremely extensive and difficult to list in their entirety. However, they are designed to protect any individual from unfair treatment in a number of settings including, employment, public accommodation, education, medical facilities, and so forth. Everyone regardless of their race, gender, sexual preference, age, religion, disability, ethnic background, and more must be treated equally. Our civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, MD can count on want you to know that these laws are guaranteed by the federal government and can be found in:

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964
• The Americans with Disabilities Act
• The Age Discrimination Act of 1975
• The Fair House Act
• + More

States have also passed their own civil rights laws; many of which are similar to federal laws. As a civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, MD endorses can explain,  the primary difference between the two is that state laws typically offer extended protection, for instance, people who identify as LGBTQ.

Civil Liberties
Civil liberties are a number of broad-based rights that protect an individual at the federal level and are guaranteed explicitly or identified in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, by legislatures, or the court. Examples of civil liberties include:

• The right to free speech
• The right to practice your religion
• The right to be free of unreasonable search and seizure
• The right to remain silent
• The right to an attorney
• The right to assemble
• The right to marry
• The right to vote
• The right to life
• + More

Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties
If you’re unsure about whether or not a civil right or civil liberty has been violated, our civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, MD relies on want you to consider:

1) What right has been affected
2) Whose right is affected

For instance, as an employee, you do not have a legal right to be promoted to a higher position. This is because a promotion is not considered to be a civil liberty. However, as a disabled employee, you do have the right to be free from discrimination in being considered for an upcoming promotion. If your employer denied you of the promotion for being disabled, it may be a civil rights violation. A civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, MD knows can evaluate your case and make that determination.

As another example, every individual has the right to marry. However, same-sex marriages are a matter of civil rights. If a same-sex or opposite-sex couple is denied a marriage license, for any reason, it is a violation of their civil liberties. Whereas, if a same-sex couple is denied a marriage license, it may be considered a civil rights violation.

Do You Need Legal Assistance?
If you believe your civil rights or civil liberties have been infringed upon, you should speak to a civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, MD clients recommend to gain an understanding of your legal options. Call the Greenberg Law Offices today.

Do I Have a Case for Wrongful Termination?
Our civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, MD turns to shares that wrongful termination can be more complicated than it appears. It is common for a person who has been fired, to question whether they were wrongfully terminated. A person cannot be fired for discriminatory reasons such as: age, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation, to name a few. It can come as a real shock to a person who was fired without any sign that there was a problem. If you believe that your employer has wrongfully terminated you, it may be necessary to speak with a civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, Maryland trusts at Greenberg Law Offices for help.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was achieved by the work done during the civil rights movement in the 60’s. This Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal to discriminate against people in the workplace for:

• Religion
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Sexual Orientation
• Gender
• Age

It is important that employers have a clear understanding of employment discrimination so that they do not inadvertently violate the rights of their employees.

 It May Be Time to Call Greenberg Law Offices
Obtaining legal representation from our civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, MD relies on may be the appropriate next step if you believe you were wrongfully terminated from your job. Here are some things to consider if you believe that you have been wrongfully terminated from your job:

It is highly likely that your employer is an “at will” employer. Essentially, an employee and employer are in a mutually beneficial working relationship with one another. An employee has the ability to quit at any time and an employer can fire the employee should they choose too. There are some exceptions to this:

• Employees who are in a union
• Employees who are on a leave of absence for military duty
• Employees under specific contractual agreements
• Our civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, MD knows may share that if you believe that you were discriminated against based on your age, ethnicity, gender, etc. and were fired as a result, it may make sense to file a complaint with the EEOC and speak with an attorney.
• If you filed a complaint against your employer, made a workers’ compensation claim or called out inappropriate behavior in the workplace and was fired as a result you may have a case for wrongful termination. It is possible that your employer retaliated against you for your actions.
• A civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, MD recommends wants you to know that an employer cannot fire you, demote you or refuse promotions to you while you are on FMLA. The Family Medical Leave Act protects your job in the event that you must take unpaid leave for personal medical reasons, to care for a loved one or are away on maternity leave.

When it comes to filing a complaint with the EEOC, there are stringent timeframes that will need to be met. You will want to contact a civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, MD respects in a timely manner to ensure that the paperwork required is filed within the correct amount of time.

Obtaining the services of Greenberg Law Offices will be important if you believe that you were wrongfully terminated. You will want to be sure that you have a civil rights violation lawyer Baltimore, MD seeks assistance from by your side who understands the legal system and can protect your rights should you take legal action.

As a Civil Rights Violation Lawyer in Baltimore from Greenberg Law Offices knows, the aftermath of experiencing police brutality can be a disorienting time that is full of unknowns. In fact, it may be tempting to ignore the maltreatment you may have endured at the hands of law enforcement because you are unsure of what the road ahead may be. It may seem like an easier route to ignore your experience. You may be left feeling ashamed and angry over the abuse, especially if you did nothing to escalate the situation.

The ways in which you are processing your experience are almost certainly normal and it is important to understand that you are not alone. Too many Americans have first-hand experience with police brutality. Thankfully, it is possible to seek justice for the harm you have suffered. Speaking with a MD Civil Rights Violation Lawyer in Baltimore can help you to preserve your legal options in the event that you choose (sooner or later on) to file a legal claim related to your situation.

When thinking about scheduling a consultation, please know that the attorneys at Greenberg Law Offices approach each situation we face uniquely, because there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to infractions upon your civil rights. We are dedicated and passionate about providing people with the legal representation that they deserve.

Types of Police Brutality

Over the last several years, we have seen a fair share of media coverage on police brutality. Although most people are familiar with this problem, the recent increase in such heinous, often deadly behavior, suggests that there is an ever growing issue — and one that many people would rather ignore. Throughout the Baltimore community, law abiding citizens are being unfairly targeted. Honest, hardworking police officers are even being blamed for the inappropriate behavior of a few. This has to stop now.

The police brutality lawyers at Greenberg Law Offices are determined to fight for victims not only for monetary compensation, but to also bring further awareness to the surge in physical, emotional, and mental abuse by a small percentage of police officers. If you or a loved one has been a victim of police brutality, call a Lawyer for Civil Rights Violations in Baltimore.

Police brutality can manifest in different ways. Recognizing when you have been a victim of police brutality will be vital when considering taking legal action. You will want to contact a Baltimore, MD Civil Rights Violation Lawyer as soon as possible if you believe you were mistreated during an interaction with law enforcement.  Some situations that occur may be so subtle; that you may not even realize what has happened until later down the road. Being able to spot the signs is a key way to help identify when your rights have been violated.

Here are some of the most common types of police brutality:

Reasonable Force Vs. Excessive Force
The Baltimore Police Department, and every other law enforcement agency, faces daily situations that are dangerous and puts their lives at risk. These people often have to confront angry, confused, and overwhelmed individuals who might feel like they have nothing left to lose and no regard for the law and others around them. In these circumstances, reasonable force may need to be applied to ease the situation and get it under control.

Sometimes police overstep their bounds and their authority resulting in a blatant attack on an individual who is unarmed or unable to protect themselves. Often when this happens, the following elements are a factor:

• Taser Attack: A taser is meant to gain control over a person without using deadly force. When not used properly, or used on someone who has a health condition, it is possible for a taser to be lethal. 
• Pepper Spray: Pepper is a non lethal, effective way to disarm a person. When it is excessively used it can cause blindness, distress, and respiratory illness. There have been known cases of someone being killed by pepper spray. 
• Choke Holds: Although these are legally banned in most jurisdictions, it is possible for a police officer to put someone in a chokehold. This move can be very dangerous and quickly cause unconsciousness, severe injury, and death. 

Sexual Abuse or Harassment

If law enforcement officers or correctional officers take sexual advantage of a person in their custody, these officers may be charged with sexual abuse or harassment. A Lawyer for Civil Rights Violations in MD is aware that sexual harassment and abuse of inmates is a systematic problem and a number of cases still go unreported.

Excessive Force

Police have been known to be physically aggressive when arresting a person. It is possible for this to occur with a firearm, taser gun or police baton. A person may experience significant trauma as a result of this interaction with police.

Discrimination Based on Race or Other Protected Characteristics
Another example of police maltreatment is racial profiling and discrimination. No person should be mistreated or pulled over by law enforcement solely because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or other protected characteristics.

Cases We Handle at Greenberg Law Offices

If you have experienced any of the following, we encourage you to call a Maryland Civil Rights Violation Lawyer in Baltimore today:

• Use of unreasonable force
• Misuse of stun guns or tasers
• Misuse of pepper spray
• Misuse of rubber bullets
• Misuse of gases
• Physical abuse including kicking, choking, beating, etc.
• Sexual assault or rape
• Misuse of power
• Unwarranted use of police dogs
• + More
  

In addition to the aforementioned examples, many police brutality cases involve civil rights violations such as:

• Unlawful arrest
• Unlawful imprisonment
• Denial of medical care
• Denial of a lawyer
• Search and seizure without a warrant
• Warrantless arrest
• Arrest based on race
• Discrimination
• Vindictive arrest or prosecution
• Problems with an off duty officer
• Harassment
• + more
  

What happens when harm comes directly from a police officer? Distrust is likely to form as a result. Unfortunately, this is a reality that a number of communities must contend with on a daily basis. But, you do not have to navigate this challenge alone. Please allow our legal team to be of service to you. We would be happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have regarding what your next steps could potentially be.