I. Introduction

• Library: Sword and Shield: A Practical Approach to Section 1983 Litigation (ABA) (2015 Ed.)

I. INTRODUCTION

Section 1983 (42 U.S.C. § 1983) is the most important civil statute in American law. It authorizes private parties to enforce their federal constitutional rights, and some federal statutory rights, against defendants who acted under color of state law. The policies underlying § 1983 include compensating persons whose federally protected rights were violated and preventing future violations.¹ The defendants are principally state and municipal officials, municipalities, and private-party state actors. Large...