Author: Shelby Benavidez  

Contributing Attorney: Matthew Brunell, attorney  

Many people confuse civil rights and civil liberties, using them almost interchangeably. However, while related, these two concepts protect different aspects of a free and just society. Civil rights are mostly about equal treatment under the law, making sure that no one is unfairly discriminated against because of characteristics like race, gender, religion, or disability. Civil liberties, by contrast, are basic freedoms that limit government power, protecting freedoms like speech, religion, and due process. Continue reading to understand both terms clearly, find examples of violations and consequences, and compare them side by side, while also noting recent legal changes or challenges to keep the information current.  

Civil Rights  

Overview and Examples of Civil Rights  

Civil rights in the United States are influenced by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, arguably one of the most important pieces of legislation in American history. The Act contains eleven titles, each focusing on a different area of protection against discrimination.  

Title I deals with voting rights. It prohibits the use of unequal voting requirements, ensuring that all eligible citizens have the chance to participate in elections.  

Title II addresses discrimination in public accommodations. This means hotels, restaurants, theaters, and other businesses that serve the public cannot deny service based on race, color, religion, or national origin.  

Title III extends protections to public facilities. It requires the desegregation of parks, libraries, swimming pools, and other facilities that are owned or operated by the government.  

Title IV focuses on public education. It authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to file lawsuits to speed up desegregation in schools and gives federal authorities more power to enforce equal access to education.  

Title V strengthens the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. This body was given expanded authority to collect data, investigate complaints, and make recommendations to improve civil rights protections nationwide.  

Title VI prevents discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal funding. This includes schools, hospitals, and many local government services, which must serve all people equally in order to keep their funding.  

Title VII prohibits employment discrimination. Employers cannot make decisions about hiring, firing, or promotions based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Over time, courts have also interpreted this to include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.  

Title VIII requires statistical reporting on voter registration and voting data. By collecting this information, Congress sought to identify and address patterns of discrimination in the electoral process.  

Title IX provides for intervention in civil rights cases. It allows the federal government to step into lawsuits when broader civil rights issues are at stake, giving the law more enforcement strength.  

Title X establishes the Community Relations Service. This office was created to help communities resolve racial disputes and work toward peaceful integration.  

Finally, Title XI contains miscellaneous provisions, including the rules for judicial review of cases brought under the Act. It sets out how courts should handle challenges and appeals in civil rights cases.  

Together, these eleven titles demonstrate the wide scope of civil rights protections. From voting and education to housing, employment, and public services, they built a foundation for protecting equal treatment in American society.  

Civil Rights Violations  

A civil rights violation happens when someone is denied fair treatment under the law because of who they are. Imagine a qualified applicant turned away from a job simply because of her race or religion – that would be a clear violation. The same is true if a landlord refuses to rent an apartment to someone based on their ethnicity or national origin. Violations can also surface in voting, where certain rules or practices make it harder for specific groups of people to register or cast their ballots. In schools, discrimination may show up when some districts remain segregated or receive fewer resources, leaving students with fewer opportunities than their peers. These kinds of violations can come from individuals, businesses, or even government bodies.  

Not every violation is obvious. Sometimes, a rule or policy looks neutral on paper but ends up harming one group more than others. This is known as “disparate impact.” For decades, courts have allowed challenges to such policies, though the strength of those protections is now being debated.  

A recent change in Iowa highlights how civil rights protections can shift. As of July 1, 2025, the state removed gender identity from its civil rights law. In practice, this means transgender and nonbinary people no longer have state-level protection against discrimination in housing or employment. At the same time, federal law, as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court, still protects LGBTQ+ employees across the country.  

Consequences for Violating Civil Rights  

When civil rights are violated, there can be legal and social consequences. Someone who’s been harmed by a violation can take the issue to court and file a lawsuit to recover damages or advocate for a change in policy through what’s known as injunctive relief. Companies and organizations found guilty of discrimination may face heavy fines, and even if they avoid large penalties, the damage to their reputation can linger. Once a company is labeled discriminatory, it risks losing public trust and facing backlash – sometimes causing more harm than fines ever could.  

Government agencies also play a role in enforcing civil rights. The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, for example, regularly investigates complaints and brings cases to court. Fairly recently, the DOJ secured a conviction in Mississippi against a man charged with federal civil rights violations after committing racially motivated vandalism and arson. Beyond individual cases, civil rights violations can spark changes in public policy, leading lawmakers or regulators to strengthen protections.  

Courts can play a role in shaping how civil rights are enforced, too. In 2025, a U.S. appeals court limited the ability of private citizens to use Section 1983 to challenge discriminatory voting maps under the Voting Rights Act. The ruling reshaped the way these challenges are handled because it took away one of the main tools individuals had to push back against unfair voting rules.  

Violating civil rights goes against the basic idea that everyone should be treated fairly under the law. Whether in court, through fines, or by public backlash, these consequences show that society works hard to protect people’s rights to be treated equally.  

Civil Liberties  

Overview and Examples of Civil Liberties  

Civil liberties are the freedoms that put boundaries around government power, creating space for people to think, speak, act, and simply live without unnecessary interference. Often, these rights are written into constitutions or other key legal documents, forming the backbone of a free society. 

Some key examples include freedom of speech, which lets people share their opinions without government punishment, and freedom of religion, which allows people to practice (or not practice) any faith. The right to privacy protects individuals from unnecessary government intrusion into their personal lives and homes. The right to a fair trial ensures that everyone gets due process, legal representation, and is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Freedom of assembly lets people gather peacefully, protest, or join groups.  

Together, these freedoms form the foundation of personal autonomy in a democracy, giving people the space to live freely, make their own choices, and shape their own lives. 

Civil Liberties Violations  

A violation of civil liberties occurs when government action unduly restricts these basic freedoms. For instance, when a government censors a newspaper or shuts down a website because it criticizes the regime, that is a violation of freedom of speech. Another example is unwarranted surveillance, where the government monitors private conversations, emails, or actions without proper legal authorization or oversight. Likewise, denying someone a fair trial, such as refusing them legal counsel or a jury, undermines due process. Government crackdowns on peaceful protests or arrests for assembly without just cause also fall under civil liberties violations.  

These violations typically come from state or federal bodies rather than private individuals, since civil liberties are protections against government overreach.  

There are current, real-world legal cases that reflect these boundaries. For example, in Wisconsin in 2025, a case considered whether a 12-year-old interrogated in a school setting was entitled to Miranda warnings. The question was whether he was in “custody” and thus entitled to protections under the Fifth Amendment. Another case, APHA v. NIH, is challenging government action around research grants, contending that the cancellations of hundreds of projects may implicate constitutional freedoms, though that case is still being litigated.  

Consequences for Violating Civil Liberties  

When civil liberties are violated, courts often step in and rule that certain government actions or laws are unconstitutional. Laws that infringe on basic freedoms can be canceled or overturned. People whose rights are violated may also receive compensation or other remedies from the government. Public reaction can be strong, too. If a government is seen as overstepping its authority, it can lose trust and support. High-profile cases of civil liberties violations often lead to changes, such as new policies, reforms, or stronger protections to prevent future abuses.  

Because civil liberties are essential to democracy, violations are taken very seriously. When governments misuse their power, it can weaken the foundations of a free society.  

Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties: Main Differences  

Civil rights and civil liberties both protect people, but they focus on different things. Civil rights are about equality, making sure everyone is treated fairly under the law, no matter who they are. Civil liberties are about freedom, keeping the government from interfering with individual choices.  

Put another way, civil rights ask, “Am I being treated fairly?” while civil liberties ask, “Is the government limiting my freedom?” Civil rights are usually enforced through laws and policies, while civil liberties are often defended through the courts and the Constitution.  

Together, civil rights and civil liberties work hand in hand to create a society where people are both free and treated fairly. Understanding the difference between the two helps us recognize when protections are at risk and why it’s important to uphold both equality and freedom in everyday life.