Do I Need a Civil Rights Attorney? How to Know When to Call a Civil Rights Lawyer in Tennessee
If you're asking yourself, “Do I need a civil rights attorney?”, then you’re not alone. Every year in Tennessee, people experience discrimination, unlawful police actions, and unfair treatment without realizing they may have a legal case.
At Worthington & Weiss, our civil rights attorneys help individuals across the state understand and defend their constitutional rights. Whether it’s racial discrimination, excessive force, or denial of medical care while in custody, you should know when to seek legal help as the first step in protecting yourself or your loved ones.
What Does a Civil Rights Attorney Do?
A Tennessee civil rights attorney helps people who believe they’ve been mistreated by the government or public institutions. This includes local police, jails, public schools, and other state or city agencies. A civil rights lawyer can file lawsuits when constitutional rights may have been violated and can hold wrongdoers accountable.
1. You Were Discriminated Against in Tennessee
If you feel you were treated unfairly because of your race, gender, disability, religion, age, or sexual orientation, you may need a discrimination lawyer.
Examples of civil rights violations in Tennessee can include:
A public school refuses to accommodate your child’s disability
A housing agency denies you because of your race or gender identity
You’re harassed by a government employee for religious beliefs
2. You Experienced Police Misconduct or Jail Abuse
If you were arrested, jailed, or stopped by police and experienced excessive force, false arrest, or denial of medical care, you may have a case for a civil rights lawsuit.
Common signs your rights may have been violated:
You were injured during an arrest without resisting
You were denied mental health or medical care while in custody
You were placed in a restraint chair without medical justification
These are serious civil rights violations. If you feel that your rights have been violated, speak with a qualified Tennessee civil rights attorney as soon as possible.
3. Your Free Speech or Freedom of Religion Was Denied
Your First Amendment rights granted by the United States Constitution protect you from government retaliation for your beliefs, speech, or peaceful protest. If you feel that a government agency, school, or law enforcement officer targets you because of your speech or religion, you may need to take legal action.
Examples include:
Being fired from a government job after posting about political views
Being denied religious accommodation in school or jail
Facing retaliation from law enforcement for peaceful protest
4. You Were Denied Due Process
In Tennessee, public schools and government agencies must follow certain legal procedures before punishing you. If you were disciplined, fired, expelled, or had your rights taken without a hearing or warning, this could be a civil rights violation.
How Do I Know If I Have a Case?
If you belive you were not treated fairly, it is always worth speaking with a lawyer. At Worthington & Weiss, we offer confidential consultations so you can understand whether your rights were violated and what legal options are available.
Why Choose Worthington & Weiss?
As licensed lawyers in Tennessee, our law firm is experienced in:
Civil rights violations in police custody
Denial of Due Process involving public schools or employers
Jail abuse lawsuits
First Amendment and freedom of speech
And more!
We take on several cases across the state and fight for the dignity and safety of every client.
Call a Civil Rights Attorney in Tennessee Today
Don’t wait. If you or a family member have been the victim of a civil rights violation, talk to a licensed local attorney with a successful track record that understands civil rights law and can guide you through your options.
Call us at (423) 442-5353 or schedule your free consultation by visiting https://www.worthingtonweiss.com/contact-us
We’re here to help you hold the system accountable and get the justice you deserve.
