If you believe that your civil rights and freedoms have been violated, you need to figure out legal options. All citizens have civil rights, including freedom of speech, right to petition the government, and freedom from discrimination based on aspects like sex, race, and national origin. Should you hire a Las Vegas civil rights attorney? What should you consider while hiring an attorney? In this post, we are sharing a few relevant aspects worth knowing.
Reasons why you may need an attorney
There are various circumstances, when you may find that your civil rights have been violated. For instance, you may have been subjected to unreasonable searches and seizures, the law enforcement may have acted unreasonably, or you may have faced abuse by a public official. If you have suffered discrimination at work, like denial of promotion or wage benefits, because of your age, sex, race, or religion, you may want to hire an attorney. Civil rights laws are, in all honesty, complicated, and people often do not know how to proceed with their claim or file a lawsuit.
Hiring the right civil rights attorney
Not all civil rights attorneys in Las Vegas are the same, and you need to do your homework before selecting one. Before anything else, check online or ask around for references. Websites like AVVO can be really handy for finding top-rated attorneys. When you meet a civil rights attorney for the first time, here are some questions to ask –
- How long have you been practicing as a civil rights attorney?
- Do you handle other kinds of litigation and personal injury cases?
- What is your evaluation of my case?
- Have you handled comparable cases?
- What can I expect from the lawsuit?
If an attorney has been around for years, they will have enough clients and must offer references on request.
Cost of hiring an attorney
Most civil rights attorneys either charge an hour rate, or work on a contingency basis. In case of the latter, you don’t have to pay the lawyer right away. They can also handle some of the costs related to the case, and as you get a settlement, they will adjust the expenses accordingly. However, it is wise to ask for a ballpark estimate of the lawsuit in advance.
Your lawyer will also offer an insight on how the case may shape up and their strategy for the case. There are deadlines for filing such civil rights lawsuits, and it’s important to act early.