The concepts of civil rights and civil liberties are interconnected. However, they have different meanings. Both civil rights and civil liberties protect you as an American. We’ll go into the difference between civil rights and civil liberties and what they entail.
What are civil rights?
Civil rights are constitutionally given rights that prevent discrimination of a person based on theories, sex, or religion, among other things. If these rights are violated, you can contact a civil rights lawyer in Sacramento to file a suit on your behalf.
A good example of civil rights is not being discriminated against in your workplace because you’re pregnant or disabled.
Civil rights give you equal rights and protect you in your place of work, your school, housing and while using public facilities.
What are civil liberties?
Civil liberties cover a wider range of basic rights the Constitution gives you. These rights give you protection in many ways. Being able to choose your own religion is considered a civil liberty. Also, if you are arrested by the police, you have the right to remain silent until you have a lawyer present. Another example of your civil liberty is the right to vote for your preferred candidate in the election.
Civil liberties also allow you to be subjected to a fair trial regardless of your crime. This is why suspects are subjected to a trial, and the conviction is based on proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Another civil liberty, which is unique to the United States, is the right to bear arms. This right allows Americans to carry weapons such as guns to protect themselves and their properties.
What is the difference between both?
The major difference between your civil liberties and your civil rights is that one is enforceable, and the other is not. For example, an employer cannot discriminate against you based on your race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or otherwise. They must give you an equal opportunity to get hired as long as you qualify for the job. However, your civil liberties do not guarantee that you will be promoted within one year of being employed.
If you are due for promotion based on the company policies, the company cannot deny the promotion based on any of the protected factors stated above.
When can you seek redress in court?
You can seek redress in court if your civil rights have been violated. If your employer fires you because you’re disabled or your employer refuses to promote you because you do not have the same religious beliefs, your civil rights have been violated.
In some cases, discriminatory statements masked as jokes also qualify as an infringement of your civil rights. You are well within your rights to speak to a civil rights lawyer, and they will help you come up with the best option for your specific situation.
The lawyer will likely advise you to gather evidence of the discrimination and inform the human resources department of the company before initiating a suit in a court of law.
