42 U.S.C. Section 1983

This is a "plain English" version of the section of the federal law under which most civil rights actions are brought. Because it does not describe the precise legal meanings of some of the terms used in the law itself, this definition is not complete. However, it will give you a general idea of what the law provides. You may also want to look at the exact language of this section or the complete law.

This law applies to situations where a person, who has been given authority by the law, deprives another person in the United States of rights or privileges that the second person has been given by the US Constitution or by federal or state law. The person who believes that s/he has been harmed in this way may sue in court.

This law limits the way in which a person (who believes that s/he has been harmed) can sue a judge who has been acting in his or her official capacity.

This law applies equally to Acts of Congress that affect only the District of Columbia.

Last Date Legal Review 7/1/03 (MLAN/AC)