For most cases involving civil rights violations and discrimination, one of your options is to file a complaint with the government at the federal or state level, and allow a government agency to take steps to enforce your civil rights. Filing a complaint will usually trigger an investigation into your claims by the agency, and depending on the specifics of your case, the government may take further action on your behalf (i.e. ordering mandatory mediation of the dispute, or charging the offending party in court).

For some types of cases, a claim must be filed with the government before any private lawsuit may be pursued (more on this below). And keep in mind that in most instances involving civil rights violations and the government, complaints and claims must be filed within a certain amount of time after the alleged violation.

Federal and State Agencies that Enforce Civil Rights

At both the federal and state levels of government, agencies hear and investigate claimed civil rights violations (including discrimination). In most cases, neither the offender nor the victim need be affiliated with the government (i.e. a person alleging employment discrimination need not be a government employee); the mere allegation of a civil rights violation triggers the government's interest in investigating and (in some instances) resolving the claims.

At the federal level of government, agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigate claims of civil rights violations and discrimination. State agencies may also investigate a complaint for civil rights violations or discrimination, and may work alongside (or in place of) a federal agency. For example, employees who allege job discrimination in California may file a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. As part of its standard procedure, that state agency will usually send the complaint to the EEOC at the federal level, so that it becomes a "dual filing."