Section 1983 Litigation

"This fifth edition of Sword & Shield: A Practical Approach to Section 1983 Litigation is substantially reorganized to provide practitioners with easier access to the information they need as they are handling civil rights claims"--

In this invaluable three-volume set, you'll get an analysis of every aspect of the statute from the plaintiffs' and defendants' side of the courtroom - from direction on potential to considerations about choice of forum. This reference also gives you citations to state and district court decisions and circuit-by-circuit breakdowns of leading decisions. Plus, you'll explore constitutional rights enforceable under Section 1983, every facet of municipal liability and qualified immunity, bifurcating claims against officers and municipalities, and more. Martin A. Schwartz, an expert of Section 1983 actions, goes a step further and provides positions on open issues. Also available as part of the Section 1983 Litigation Complete Six-Volume Set.

Traces the lines of authority that set forth the parameters for an illegal search and seizure claim or examining the emerging retaliation theories brought by public employees. The book contains expert analysis and provides lawyers with a practical approach to this technically difficult and ever-evolving area of law cover subjects such as: The procedural intricacies of Section 1983 litigation in court; causation; municipal and supervisory liability; state liability (Eleventh Amendment); preclusion defenses; survivorship and wrongful death; abstention doctrines, and more.

This student-focused treatise provides a concise, accessible, comprehensive, and readable overview of the doctrine, policy, history, and theory of civil rights and constitutional litigation under Section 1983 and its Bivens federal counterpart. The book is written for courses on Civil Rights Litigation and Federal Courts; it can function as a primary assignment, as an assigned or recommended case and statutory supplement to a casebook or case materials, and as an additional study guide for students wanting additional background, context, and synthesis of the material. The new edition: Covers all aspects of civil rights and constitutional litigation, including the history of civil rights legislation in the United States; the substantive elements of Section 1983 and Bivens causes of action; individual immunity defenses; governmental liability and immunity; procedural and jurisdictional hurdles; abstention; and remedies. Covers doctrinal changes from the Supreme Court since the previous edition, including on Bivens actions, individual officer immunity, abstention, and the scope of injunctive relief. Discusses recent nationwide litigation campaigns over marriage equality and immigration policies to illustrate how plaintiffs and governments litigate these issues. Includes appendices containing the United States Constitution, Emancipation Proclamation, and selected substantive, jurisdictional, and procedural federal statutes that regularly are involved in civil rights and constitutional litigation. All topics and sub-topics include "Puzzles," short problems (drawn from lawsuits and recent lower-court decisions) for use in class discussions and for student study and review.