Guide to Civil & Political Rights in California

What are “civil rights”?

When people talk about civil rights, individual rights, or political rights, this generally includes fundamental rights we have as individuals to participate in society as equals and to be treated with dignity.

More specifically, it includes concepts such as freedom of expression, free exercise of religion, voting rights, rights against law enforcement overreach, “innocent until proven guilty,” rights against unfair discrimination, among others.

Most civil rights laws are nationally applicable, so we have those at our Guide to Civil Rights in the U.S.

For California specific issues, see the following pages:

• Laws about Police Conduct
• Rights of people accused of crimes
• Voting Rights
• Rights against unfair discrimination: See about discrimination in employment and housing, and about laws relating to individuals with a disability.
• Rights of students
• Right to own guns for self-defense: See weapons law.
• Right to reproductive choice