Civil Rights
Dedicated Providence law firm fighting for your rights
The attorneys at Asquith & Mahoney, LLP are ready to defend you if your civil rights have been violated in any setting or circumstance. You are protected by the following laws:
Rhode Island lawyers protect you against discrimination
If your rights have been violated, contact Asquith & Mahoney, LLP today.
Felony voting disenfranchisement
The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 includes a provision that allows states to "disenfranchise" or take away the voting privileges of persons who have been convicted of a felony. The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution gives states the authority to decide whether or not to deny the right to vote to persons who have been convicted of a felonious offense. Accordingly, a convicted felon or an ex-felon may or may not be able to register to vote in his or her state of residence. We can advocate on your behalf.
The Rehabilitation Act and Education for Disabled Students
The Rehabilitation Act for Disabled Students was passed to allow full participation in society by individuals with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act, along with other federal laws such as the Civil Rights Law of 1964, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), guarantees equal access to education for disabled students. We can help if you or your child has been discriminated against.
Children's Internet Protection Act
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires a public library to use "filtering" or "blocking" software on computers that are available to the public. A library that fails to do so would lose certain federal funds. Library patrons 16 years of age or younger cannot have the blocking removed under any circumstances. In 2003, the United States Supreme Court ruled that mandatory filtering of websites for minor patrons of public libraries does not violate the First Amendment. Critics of the effectiveness of web filtering programs claim that sites considered to be acceptable are blocked and only a very few can effectively block certain inappropriate websites. We can help if you feel that your rights are being violated.
The use of drug detection dogs
In 2004, the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear a case involving a question of whether the Fourth Amendment requires reasonable suspicion to justify the use of a drug detection dog to sniff an automobile during a legitimate traffic stop. If you feel that you have been unjustly targeted, contact us.
Sexual orientation discrimination in housing
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits intentional discrimination in the rental, sale, and financing of housing due to a prospective renter or buyer's race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, or family status. The term "sexual orientation" is not among those traits protected by the Fair Housing Act. As a result, the Fair Housing Act does not offer protection against sexual orientation discrimination. If you or a loved one has been discriminated against, contact us.
