42 U.S.C. Section 1983 is a federal law. It is used in major civil rights cases involving government officials abusing their authority.
U.S.C. stands for "United States Code." You'll also often see this law abbreviated as § 1983. That symbol means "section."
You can sue government officials who, using the authority granted to them under state law, violate your rights. Section 1983 provides you with the ability to sue; the rights you would enforce come from the Constitution and cases interpreting our civil liberties as Americans.
Enforcing your rights against the federal government rather than the state government is a bit different. Those are called Bivens actions, which comes from a case called Bivens.
Civil rights cases against the government are very complex. In our legal system, government officials have different rules that protect them from many lawsuits, including some immunities and legal doctrines that can make it incredibly hard to hold wrongdoers accountable. These cases can also take a long time to litigate.
Section 1983 is often used in federal cases involving police misconduct; abuses at prisons, jails, and correctional facilities; illegal detentions; violations of due process; barriers on free speech; retaliation; mental health institutions; and discrimination.
If you feel that your rights have been violated, its important to consult with an attorney as soon as you can.
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