Section 1983
The federal statute allowing lawsuits against state or local actors for constitutional and federal-rights violations.
Governing rule: 42 U.S.C. § 1983
Plain-English definition
Section 1983 is the workhorse civil-rights statute. It allows people to sue state or local officials, municipalities, and other state actors for violating federal rights. It does not itself create rights; it provides a vehicle to enforce rights from the Constitution or federal law.
How it works
Common Section 1983 cases involve police, jails, schools, land use, speech, due process, equal protection, and municipal policies or customs.
Why it matters
Many federal civil-rights dockets are Section 1983 cases. The statute turns constitutional theory into a damages or injunction lawsuit.