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Reconstruction Era Civil Rights Acts, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981, 1983, 1985, and 1986

What are Section 1981 and the other reconstruction-era civil rights laws?

The Civil Rights Acts are post-slavery laws enacted to advance the goals of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. In general:

Section 1981 prohibits intentional race discrimination in contracts (including “at-will” employment).

Section 1983 provides a remedy for violation of federally protected rights where state action is involved.

Sections 1985 and 1986 apply to conspiracies to deprive persons of equal rights and privileges.

Employees often invoke the civil rights laws in race discrimination cases for strategic purposes relating to procedural requirements and damage caps imposed under Title VII.

If you have suffered racial discrimination and need an experienced civil rights lawyer in the D.C. or Virginia, call attorney Lori Searcy today at 703-644-4122 / 202-393-1443. To learn more about Ms. Searcy's civil rights cases, review these success stories. For more information about Section 1981, 1983 and the other civil rights laws, visit the Employment Law Chronicle.