Federal · Title 34 — Crime Control and Law Enforcement

34 U.S.C. § 12601: Cause of action

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute authorizes the Attorney General to file civil lawsuits against governmental authorities and law enforcement for patterns of conduct that violate constitutional rights, seeking equitable and declaratory relief.

Read the full statutory text

It shall be unlawful for any governmental authority, or any agent thereof, or any person acting on behalf of a governmental authority, to engage in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers or by officials or employees of any governmental agency with responsibility for the administration of juvenile justice or the incarceration of juveniles that deprives persons of rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States. Whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of paragraph (1) 1 has occurred, the Attorney General, for or in the name of the United States, may in a civil action obtain appropriate equitable and declaratory relief to eliminate the pattern or practice. 1 So in original. Probably should be “subsection (a) of this section”.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.