When it comes to selecting the best jurors to render a decision in a prisoner’s Section 1983 civil lawsuit against a prison official, knowing effective questions to ask individuals during voir dire is paramount. In this blog post I share my lis...

In the realm of civil rights litigation, prisoners often rely on 42 U.S.C. §1983 (Section 1983) of the Civil Rights Act of 1871 to seek remedies for constitutional violations they experience during incarceration. Among the remedies available in such ...

In September 2023, Arizona reached a $5,000 settlement to resolve a state prisoner’s retaliation claim that former correctional officer Jacqueline McCowan (Ostrander) issued a false disciplinary citation after being questioned regarding her kno...

In the realm of civil rights litigation, understanding the legal concept of “color of state law” is essential. This legal doctrine, rooted in 42 U.S.C. §1983, plays a pivotal role in ensuring that individuals can seek redress when their c...

Prisoners have a constitutionally protected 1st Amendment right to file grievances regarding the conditions inside their prisons. Not all prison staff are supportive of this constitutional right. Some individuals in positions of power, like former De...

In the complex world of civil litigation, legal maneuvers and procedural strategies play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of a case. One such tool in the arsenal of attorneys is the “motion in limine.” This procedural device holds si...

In the United States, Section 1983 provides a powerful tool for individuals to seek justice against state actors who have violated their constitutional rights. This statute allows prisoners, among others, to bring lawsuits against prison officials an...

A prisoner’s Section 1983 lawsuit allows incarcerated individuals to seek justice for violations of their constitutional rights while in custody. When bringing such a lawsuit, the most crucial and powerful discovery tool available is the deposi...

Section 1983 of the Unites States Code provides prisoners with a potent legal tool to seek justice for alleged violations of their constitutional rights while incarcerated. This statute allows individuals to bring civil actions against state and loca...

In the United States, Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act allows individuals to seek legal recourse when their constitutional rights have been violated by state actors. For prisoners, who are among the most vulnerable members of society, Section 198...