Reestablishing the Protection of Civil Rights How Systemic Deterrents to Filing Civil Rights Lawsuits are Undermining Civil Rights Protection Laws in the United States, and What Can Be Done to Reverse That Trend

DOI: 10.5176/2251-3809_LRPP15.41

Authors: Nicholas G. Emanuel

Abstract:

Laws designed to protect civil rights are only effective if the procedures for relief provided by those laws are in fact invoked by aggrieved parties. Using the civil rights protection laws of the United States as a model, this paper explores how rights are undermined when parties are discouraged from bringing lawsuits, and explains how the law can more effectively protect civil rights by encouraging the pursuit of legitimate claims for relief.

Keywords: civil rights; litigation; discrimination; attorney’s fees