Being arrested can be stressful and confusing, but it is crucial to stay calm and aware of your rights. While you expect law enforcement officers to follow the rules and treat a person with respect, that is not always the case. Although you do not have control over...
Civil Rights Violations
Understanding potential violations of your freedom of speech
Freedom of speech stands as a fundamental right in a democratic society. Protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, it ensures the free exchange of ideas, encourages dialogue and fosters an informed citizenry. However, even in a nation that...
5 ways a police officer can violate your civil rights
Police officers maintain law and order in a democratic society. They protect you and enforce laws. Yet, instances can occur where they cross their bounds, leading to violations of your civil rights. Recognizing your civil rights and potential violations is the initial...
What are civil rights when interacting with law enforcement?
Civil rights come from the U.S. Constitution. These are natural rights you have as a person in a free country. Nobody has the authority to take away these rights. Most of your civil rights have specific protections under the law. When it comes to a legal situation,...
What are the employment rights for workers with disabilities?
The media often covers concerns over discrimination based on gender, race and sexual orientation. However, disability rights can fall by the wayside. The law has protections to ensure that an intellectual or developmental disability is not a reason to deny a person...
What is New Jersey’s time limit for reporting rights violations?
Unfortunately, many people still suffer violations of their civil rights. While intending to respond promptly, other concerns may get in the way, causing a person to delay reporting or taking legal action. Bureaucratic structures rarely make it easy to file or get a...
Does your car have privacy protection from a search?
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives you protection from an illegal search and seizure of your property. Federal courts have designated some areas as zones of privacy to establish your rights, such as the inside of your home. You may wonder if your...
When can officers search you during a traffic stop?
Traffic stops are unnerving for everyone. Even if you only face a fine for speeding, the interaction with a cop can become overwhelming or frightening if you feel like the officer wants to catch you with more than a traffic violation. According to the ACLU, you have...
What happens if an officer violates your rights?
Regardless of the reason for your interaction with the police, you have rights. An officer may suspect you of a crime, but he or she cannot treat you differently or strip you of your rights for any reason. According to the FBI, when an officer deprives a person of his...
Are no-knock warrants valid in New Jersey?
When law enforcement officials suspect illegal activity, they engage in various investigative practices to search and examine the circumstances. However, these practices are often intrusive or startling. Citizens of New Jersey have specific rights when it comes to law...
