CASES AND PROBLEMS IN CIVIL RIGHTS LITIGATION:
STATE, FEDERAL AND INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES

John T. Parry

Instructions for Professors interested in adopting this book or obtaining a review copy

Download PDF of the full Table of Contents

Cases and Problems in Civil Rights Litigation presents an innovative approach to this complex, difficult, and important area of law. First, the book situates federal civil rights litigation in a broader context by exploring sovereign immunity and state tort remedies for official misconduct. Second, the book groups together the three primary forms of constitutional civil rights litigation: the Ex parte Young action, the cause of action against state actors created by 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and the Bivens action against federal officials. Third, once students gain a basic understanding of these causes of action, the book carefully provides a deeper understanding of civil rights actions by focusing on common substantive claims, addressing selection of proper defendants, and guiding students through the absolute and qualified immunity defenses. The last chapters of the book address two special topics: the intersection of civil rights claims with the criminal justice system (including an overview of habeas corpus law), and an introduction to the possibilities for international human rights litigation in U.S. courts.

Just as important, Cases and Problems in Civil Rights Litigation asks students to do more than study legal doctrine. In each chapter, the book repeatedly asks students to test their understanding of the law by presenting significant fact patterns drawn from real incidents and cases. Students also have the opportunity to complete two practice exercises: a civil rights complaint, and a memorandum in support of a motion to dismiss a complaint on immunity grounds.

This unique blend of theory, doctrine, context, and practice will immerse students in the world of civil rights litigation and provide essential tools for practice in this area.

NOW AVAILABLE: Second Edition – Fully revised and released July, 2019
The second edition includes a fully revised section on Bivens actions that incorporates the Supreme Court’s decision in Ziglar v. Abbasi, a new section on arrests and the Fourth Amendment, significant revisions to the material on First Amendment retaliation claims in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Nieves v. Bartlett, and significant revisions to the material on the Alien Tort Statute to reflect Supreme Court and lower court decisions. Other updates include new material on the role of custom and additional coverage of the renewed debate about qualified immunity.

DIGITAL VERSION: To obtain a digital version of this case book, click here. Semaphore Press offers this title for the suggested price of $30. Information about Semaphore Press and its publishing model is available here.

PRINT VERSION AVAILABLE: For John Parry's Cases and Problems in Civil Rights Litigation (2d Ed. 2019) you have an additional option:  a printed and bound copy from Amazon. The price of this bound version is $66.65. This price includes Amazon's cost of printing, Amazon's "cut" of any amount charged above the printing cost, and the base price ($30) that Semaphore Press suggests be paid for the digital copy of the book. Because the Amazon price has the $30 suggested price built in, after you purchase a printed copy of the book, you should absolutely feel free to download a digital copy of the book from Semaphore Press using the "freeride" button at the bottom of the book's payment page.  Click here to be taken to the   Amazon page for Cases and Problems in Civil Rights Litigation.