Florida Civil Rights Lawyer
When the government violates your constitutional rights, most law firms will not take the case. The defendant has public money, government lawyers, and powerful defenses — and the person harmed is usually an ordinary citizen standing alone. Ave Maria Law Center was built for these fights. The firm’s trial lawyers are former Florida Assistant Attorney Generals who now represent individuals against government actors statewide, in state and federal court. If a government agency, official, or institution wronged you, the first conversation is free.
Civil Rights Cases We Handle in Florida
Federal law — commonly called Section 1983 — allows individuals to sue state and local government actors who violate constitutional rights while acting under color of law. Choose the situation closest to yours for a plain-English explanation of the claim, what must be proven, the defenses to expect, and the deadlines that apply.
First Amendment Retaliation
Punished by a government body for what you said, wrote, posted, complained about, or petitioned for.
Excessive Force
Force by police, deputies, or corrections officers that went beyond what the situation called for — on the street, in a cell, or in custody.
False Arrest & Malicious Prosecution
Arrested, jailed, or prosecuted without probable cause — and the charges went nowhere.
Unlawful Search & Seizure
Your home, vehicle, phone, or property searched or taken without a warrant, consent, or a lawful exception.
Due Process Violations
A license, job, property, benefit, or liberty taken by an agency without notice and a fair hearing.
Equal Protection
Treated differently by government because of who you are — or singled out with no legitimate reason at all.
Public Employee Retaliation
Government workers demoted, transferred, or fired for speaking out, reporting wrongdoing, or refusing to break the law.
Section 1983 & Qualified Immunity
How a civil rights lawsuit against government actually works — who can be sued, what must be proven, and the defense in every case.
Not sure which applies?
Tell us what happened. We will identify the claim, the deadline, and whether the case can survive the defenses government raises — at no cost.
What Makes Civil Rights Cases Different
Suing the government is not like suing a private party, and cases fail when lawyers treat it that way.
Special defenses.
Government defendants raise defenses private parties cannot — including qualified immunity, which can shield individual officials unless the right they violated was clearly established. We evaluate those defenses honestly at the start, because a case worth bringing must be built to survive them.
Strict and unforgiving deadlines.
The time limit for a Section 1983 claim is borrowed from state law and is often shorter than people expect, and claims against Florida governmental entities can carry their own pre-suit notice requirements. Waiting can end a valid claim before it starts.
The other side litigates hard.
Government lawyers defend these cases aggressively. Having argued for the State of Florida, we know how they evaluate a case, where they expect plaintiffs to fold, and what it takes to make them take a claim seriously.
What Compensation Can Cover
Depending on the facts and the claim, a civil rights case can seek compensation for economic losses such as lost income and out-of-pocket costs, for the real emotional and reputational harm a violation causes, and in some cases other relief the law allows, including attorney’s fees where a statute provides for them. You do not need a physical injury to have real damages — the law recognizes the harm of a constitutional violation itself. We give you a straight assessment of what your case can and cannot support before you commit to anything.
Why Ave Maria Law Center
- Former Florida Assistant Attorney Generals. Both of the firm’s attorneys litigated on the government’s side of the “v.” — experience now used for individuals.
- Trial lawyers. Every case is prepared to be tried, not just settled. That is what makes institutional defendants pay attention.
- Plaintiff-side only. We represent people, never the government and never insurers.
- We take the hard cases. Civil rights matters most firms decline because the defendant is powerful and the fight is long.
- State and federal court, statewide. Civil rights cases are often federal cases, and we handle them across Florida.
Serving Civil Rights Clients Across Florida
Our office is in Ave Maria (Collier County), and we handle civil rights matters in state and federal courts throughout Florida — including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Hillsborough (Tampa), and Orange County (Orlando). For an overview of the combined practice, see our Florida civil rights and employment page.
Florida Civil Rights FAQ
Can I really sue the government?
Yes. Federal law exists precisely so individuals can hold state and local government actors accountable for constitutional violations. These cases carry special defenses and strict deadlines, which is why experienced counsel matters from the start.
What is qualified immunity, and does it end my case?
Qualified immunity is a defense that can protect individual government officials from damages liability unless the right they violated was clearly established. It does not automatically end a case — but it must be confronted head-on. We assess it candidly before filing, so you know where your case stands rather than learning it a year in. Read our full explanation.
Do I have a case if I wasn’t physically hurt?
Often, yes. Constitutional violations cause real damages — lost income, lost opportunities, reputational and emotional harm — that the law recognizes without any physical injury.
How long do I have to bring a claim?
Less time than you may think. The deadline depends on the claim, and some claims against government entities require notice before suit. The safest course is to talk to a lawyer promptly — evidence and deadlines both slip away.
Do you handle employment cases too?
Yes. The firm represents employees statewide in discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblower matters — see our Florida employment practice.
Talk to a Florida Civil Rights Lawyer
Free, confidential consultation, anywhere in Florida. If a government actor violated your rights, call Ave Maria Law Center before deadlines pass.
Raymond Christopher, Attorney, is responsible for this advertisement. Ave Maria Law Center, 5706 Mayflower Way, Unit 207, Ave Maria, FL 34142.