How to File a Complaint With the Division of Civil Rights
Civil rights are laws that protect the freedom of an individual from a variety of harms, including infringements on the right to vote, freedom of speech and freedom from discrimination. The Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice is the federal government agency responsible for investigating and preventing civil rights violations. If you believe that you have witnessed, or are the victim of, a civil rights violation, you can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Collect evidence of the alleged violation of civil rights laws. Write down all details pertaining to the alleged civil rights violation, including the dates, places and individuals involved as well as a detailed description of the alleged conduct. Collect the name, phone number and a statement from any potential witnesses. Also collect any other documentation to support your allegation, including medical reports, police reports and photographs.
-
2
Determine which section of the Civil Rights Division is the appropriate section to place your complaint. The Civil Rights Division has several sections, each of which investigates and prosecutes civil rights violations in a variety of contexts, including criminal law, disability rights, employment, housing and voting.
-
-
3
Contact the appropriate section of the Civil Rights Division during normal working hours. A list of phone numbers for the various sections of the Civil Rights Division can be found on the US Department of Justice website. If your complaint is highly complex or involves several divisions, you can contact the Department of Justice to determine which division to contact.
-
4
File your complaint by mail. If you have a good deal of documentary evidence, you can mail a statement of your complaint and any supporting evidence directly to the Civil Rights Division.
-
1
