Your Rights and Freedoms

Your rights and freedoms form the foundation of American democracy. The Bill of Rights—the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution—guarantees civil liberties like freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly, while establishing protections against government overreach.

Constitutional Freedoms and Speech Rights

The First Amendment protects free speech, yet limits apply. Learn why prosecuting lawmakers is nearly impossible under the Speech or Debate Clause, how courts assess government officials posting online, and why teachers’ social media raises First Amendment issues.

Privacy and Search Protections

The Fourth Amendment guards against unreasonable searches. Explore Fourth Amendment rights in immigration sweeps and when federal agents need reasonable suspicion for stops.

Civil Rights and Enforcement

Equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment combats discrimination. Understand Supreme Court scrutiny levels, DOJ case selection, and prosecutors’ Brady obligations.

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DOJ Says Title VI Bans Only Intent. Decades of Civil Rights Law Say Otherwise.

For fifty years, a school district that suspended Black students at three times the rate of white students, with no…

The Fourth Amendment Protections That Apply During Immigration Sweeps—For Citizens and Noncitizens Alike

The Fourth Amendment does not say "citizens." It says "the people." Courts have spent decades arguing about what that phrase…

TSA Agents Must Work Unpaid During Shutdowns. Here’s What Labor Law Says.

This isn't some bureaucratic oversight or emergency improvisation. It's exactly what federal law allows. The legal framework permitting the government…

The Speech or Debate Clause: Why Prosecuting Lawmakers Is Nearly Impossible

Grand juries indict more than ninety percent of the time when federal prosecutors ask them to. This wasn't one of…

Your Fourth Amendment Rights During Immigration Enforcement Operations

On January 7, 2026, federal immigration agents shot and killed Renée Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother and U.S. citizen, in…

When Government Officials Post Racist Content: What the Law Allows

On Thursday night, February 5, 2026, at 11:44 PM ET, President Donald Trump posted a 62-second video to Truth Social…

Inside the DOJ Civil Rights Division: How Cases Get Selected for Investigation

On January 24, 2025, the Justice Department made two announcements that revealed what it prioritizes. The contrast wasn't subtle. Federal…

Can Prosecutors Choose Which Civil Rights Violations to Pursue?

On January 13, 2026, the Justice Department announced it would not investigate the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother…