Law - Civil Rights Actions

Catalog description

A survey of the law governing civil suits against government entities and officials to remedy violations of federal constitutional rights. The focus of the class is litigation under 42 U.S.C. section 1983, which creates a civil cause of action for damages and injunctive relief to remedy violations of federal constitutional rights. This area of law is sometimes referred to as "constitutional torts, " because it involves civil litigation that is in many ways similar to traditional tort actions. The course covers the elements of a Section 1983 action, the constitutional immunity of states and state officers, defenses to Section 1983 liability, defendants' liability for attorneys fees under 42 U.S.C. section 1988, civil suits against federal defendants, and the relationship between Section 1983 and federal habeas corpus.