CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY AUSTIN TX
The Civil Rights Act of 1871 (42 U.S.C. § 1983) provides a powerful federal remedy when state or local government actors — including Austin police officers — violate your constitutional rights. Excessive force, unlawful arrest, malicious prosecution, and First Amendment retaliation are all actionable under § 1983. Our Austin civil rights attorneys hold government actors and their employers accountable.
What We Can Do For You
Excessive force claimsSection 1983 claims against APD officers who used unreasonable force — including cases involving serious injury or death
Unlawful arrestFourth Amendment claims for arrests without probable cause
Malicious prosecutionClaims for criminal prosecution without probable cause that terminated in your favor
First Amendment retaliationGovernment retaliation for protected speech, assembly, or petitioning activities
Prison and jail conditionsEighth Amendment claims for deliberate indifference to serious medical needs or unsafe conditions
Municipal liabilitySuing the City of Austin for unconstitutional policies, inadequate training, and failure to discipline officers
Key Information
1
U.S. District Court (W.D. Tex.)
501 W. 5th Street — federal civil rights claims under § 1983 are filed in federal district court.
2
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
Federal appeals for Austin-area civil rights cases.
3
Austin City Attorney's Office
Represents the City of Austin in civil rights lawsuits involving APD and other city agencies.
4
Travis County District Attorney
Both prosecutes criminal cases and can investigate police misconduct independently.
What You Should Know
Consult an Austin civil attorney immediately after any civil matter
Document all evidence, communications, and relevant records from the start
Know your deadlines — statutes of limitations and filing deadlines are strict in Texas
Understand that a free consultation costs nothing and protects your rights
The contingency fee structure means your attorney is motivated to maximize your outcome
Early intervention dramatically improves results in almost every legal matter
Frequently Asked Questions
What is qualified immunity?▾
Qualified immunity protects government officials from § 1983 liability unless they violated clearly established law. It is a significant but not absolute defense. Our attorneys identify cases where immunity does not apply.
Can I sue the City of Austin for police misconduct?▾
Yes, under Monell v. Department of Social Services, municipalities are liable for civil rights violations caused by official policies, widespread customs, or failures to train and supervise officers.
What if I was convicted — can I still bring a civil rights claim?▾
Under Heck v. Humphrey, § 1983 claims that would necessarily undermine a valid criminal conviction are barred. However, excessive force claims and claims unrelated to the conviction may proceed independently.
What is the statute of limitations for civil rights claims in Texas?▾
The statute of limitations for § 1983 claims in Texas is 2 years from the date the violation occurred or was discovered.