<p>What is Section 1983?“Section 1983” refers to 42 U.S.C. §1983, the federal statute that enables you to file a civil action for deprivation of constitutional and federal statutory rights by persons acting under “color of law.” Originally enacted in 1871, Section 1983 litigation experienced a period of dormancy, until 1961 and the landmark Supreme Court case, Monroe v. Pape, 365 U.S. 167 (1961), which gave private litigants a federal court remedy as a first resort rather than only in default of (or after) state action. Today, Section 1983 actions most commonly involve 1st Amendment issues like freedom of speech; 4th Amendment issues like search and seizure or use of force; 8th Amendment issues like cruel and unusual punishment; and 14th Amendment claims of due process violations.</p>

Section 1983 Litigation (Civil Rights Actions)

Federal Judicial Center

Karen M. Blum

Kathryn R. Urbonya

Constitutional Law

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Books by Karen M. Blum

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Karen M. Blum. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Section 1983 Litigation (Civil Rights Actions)