Civil Rights

Civil rights generally refers to the rights that individuals living in the United States have under the United States Constitution, certain federal laws, the Maryland constitution and certain state laws.

There are a number of federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination because of age, race, color, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and pregnancy.

Learn about Federal Civil Rights Claims. Section 1983 empowers individuals to sue state/local officials for violating their constitutional rights, like freedom of speech, religion, due process, and protection against unreasonable searches. Seek damages, injunctions, or attorney's fees for violations.

Maryland law requires many of the Maryland state government agencies and programs to help you if you have trouble with English.

Several Maryland laws prohibit retaliation against an employee who has disclosed wrongdoing by an employer.

In addition to the general requirements you must meet in order to vote in Maryland, there are special rules if you have been convicted of certain crimes and/or are currently under certain restrictions within the criminal justice system.

The Fifteenth Amendment (Amendment XV) to the United States Constitution prohibits each government in the United States from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude" (i.e., slavery). It was ratified on February 3, 1870.