Imagine this: you are attacked with a knife by a person who was just released from a mental institution. You run away and escape the attack. But when police arrive, you are arrested.
Under the 1871 Civil Rights Act, which is codified in federal law under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, people can sue the government for violations of their civil rights. Civil rights lawsuits are commonly called Section 1983 lawsuits, which is a reference to the federal law.
Imagine this: you park your car in Manhattan. Police approach you after you get out of your car and ask to see your license. After looking at your out-of-state license, police claim that the document is forged.
