Southern California Criminal Lawyer Blog
The term “civil rights” encompasses a very broad variety of rights. Some of those rights are enshrined in the Constitution, including freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure, the right to due process, and the right to equal protection under the law. In addition to the Constitution, many civil rights have been and continue to be addressed and protected in greater detail by federal and state laws. Some of the most prominent examples include:
- The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, and sex;
- The Americans with Disabilities Act; and
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.
While many people experience civil rights violations due to discrimination in employment, housing, or education, civil rights violations also occur when the government interferes with people’s rights, including freedom of speech and freedom of religion. In addition, while sex and gender discrimination often revolves around employment and education, these civil rights violations could also include sexual assault and abuse by institutions. Finally, another major area where civil rights violations occur is the area of criminal law and policing, including violations of the right against unreasonable search and seizures, police mistreatment, the use of excessive force and police brutality, as well as misconduct by correctional staff while incarcerated.
Civil rights are essentially human rights, and the dedicated civil rights attorneys at the Justice Firm fight daily to protect those rights. Our leading civil rights attorneys have decades of experience fighting for people whose rights have been violated and they can provide a safe environment where you can receive a compassionate and confidential case assessment. Our team is lead by two of the most prominent attorneys in California, Christopher Darden and Joseph Anthony Virgilio.
Christopher Darden has been an outstanding attorney for over four decades. While Mr. Darden is probably best remembered as one of the prosecutors in the O.J. Simpson murder trial, it is important to note that prior to that case, Mr. Darden had already acquired a reputation as a leading trial attorney in Los Angeles and had received recognition for his service to victims and their families. During his career at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Christopher Darden worked in the Hardcore Gang Unit, and later he worked for the Special Investigation Division investigating criminal activity by public and law enforcement officials.
Following his career at the DA’s office, Mr. Darden served as an associate professor at Southwestern University School of Law and started his own private practice specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation, including cases involving sexual assault and abuse, and police misconduct cases. Throughout his career, Mr. Darden has demonstrated unwavering dedication to his clients and the ability to develop trusting relationships. Moreover, Mr. Darden has also served as a legal commentator for CNBC, CNN, Court TV, and NBC, and is a frequent guest and commentator on CNN, Court TV, and Fox News Network.
In addition to Christopher Darden, our civil rights team is headed by our Supervising Attorney Joseph Anthony Virgilio. Mr. Virgilio has had a long and illustrious legal career. He is a former district attorney and a judge, and as an attorney, he has successfully argued in front of the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. The Justice Firm is a culmination of Mr. Virgilio’s dedication to serve and his ambition to make a difference for his clients in the filed of criminal and civil law. Mr. Virgilio has represented some of the most prominent people in the state and has extensive experience of zealously defending his clients’ rights.
One of the main jobs of any civil rights attorney is to determine if a violation has taken place and the best course of action in case a violation has occurred. Our civil rights attorneys are available to answer any questions you might have.
If you believe that you or a loved one has been the subject of official misconduct, discrimination, or institutional sexual abuse and would like to know more about your legal options, you can contact us today locally at (310) 914-2444 or at our Toll-Free number at (866) 695-6714, or click here.