Americans with Disabilities Act: A Guide to the ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is federal legislation enacted in 1990 that provides a broad range of protections for individuals with disabilities. To qualify for the protections of the ADA, the individual must have a psychological or physical disability that substantially limits one or more major life activity.

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What federal programs protect minorities from housing discrimination?

The Federal Fair Housing Act is the major U.S. law preventing discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability in the sale or rental of housing. These seven groups are considered protected classes under the act. The Federal Fair Housing Act applies to anyone who sells or rents real estate or housing, and prohibits practices like racial steering, blockbusting, redlining, and filtering information about a home’s availability.

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Building a Case to Sue the Police: Difficult But Not Impossible

It is common to want to sue the police after unpleasant contact or friction, especially when the conflict resulted in an arrest that seemed unwarranted, unfair, or downright abusive. Suing the police is complicated, though, even when you have been a victim of some kind of police misconduct and are absolutely innocent with regard to your arrest. This overview of the downfalls you may encounter when you sue the police will help you understand and protect your rights.

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Illegal Search and Seizure: 4th Amendment Violations May Warrant Money Damages

Illegal search and seizure by the police in conflict with the 4th Amendment may give you the right to sue the police for damages. The 4th Amendment provides that we should be free from unreasonable or illegal search and seizure, and is generally enforced by exclusion of the evidence from any trial should you be prosecuted. According to federal law, though, you can also receive money damages, and even have your attorney’s fees paid, if you are the victim of an illegal search and seizure.

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Racial Discrimination in Education

Racial discrimination in education refers to any harassment of students based on race, color, or national origin. In an attempt to prevent racial discrimination and eliminate the hostile educational environment it fosters, the federal government has established Title VI. Under this federal law, any school receiving government funding cannot discriminate against any student based on race, color, or national origin.

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Can I sue a police officer for false arrest?

You can sue a cop for false arrest, but such lawsuits tend to be difficult to win. Most states protect their officers from such suits with what is called “investigatorial immunity.” As long as an officer is acting reasonably in their employment, their actions, even if mistaken in the end, are protected from civil suit for false arrest.

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What sort of legal remedies are available if I sue?

The types of legal remedies that are available to you will vary depending on the type of litigation that you are involved in. For example, there may be a broader array of remedies available to someone who is suing under tort laws than for someone involved in a breach of contract dispute.

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