Section1983.org Launches Free Legal Guide for Pro Se Civil Rights Plaintiffs

The Problem

Every year, thousands of Americans have their constitutional rights violated by police. Most never sue. Of those who do, the vast majority cannot find an attorney willing to take their case — civil rights litigation is expensive, time-consuming, and doctrines like qualified immunity make outcomes uncertain. That leaves people with a choice: represent themselves or walk away.

For those who choose to fight, the legal landscape is hostile. Federal procedure is complex, case law is dense, and most existing resources assume the reader is a practicing attorney. Pro se plaintiffs are expected to meet the same standards as seasoned litigators, often while recovering from the very trauma that brought them to court.

What Section1983.org Provides

Section1983.org is written for people in crisis. Every page assumes the reader has no legal training and may be navigating the federal court system for the first time. The site currently includes:

• 229 court cases — summarized in plain language with full citations, drawn from the U.S. Supreme Court, federal circuit courts, and district courts across the country.
• 122 legal terms — explained without jargon, covering constitutional law, civil procedure, evidence, remedies, and qualified immunity.
• 13 step-by-step process guides — walking plaintiffs through each stage of a Section 1983 lawsuit, from preparing a case through post-trial appeals.
• 10 in-depth articles — on practical topics like how to write a complaint, how to name defendants, how to use AI for legal research, and what to do when no attorney will take your case.

In total, the site contains over 370 pages of content — roughly 18 hours of reading — all free, with no paywall, no registration, and no advertising.

Built from Experience

Section1983.org was created by a pro se plaintiff currently litigating a Section 1983 case in the Northern District of Texas. The project grew out of frustration with the lack of accessible, honest resources for people representing themselves.

"When I started my case, I spent months piecing together what I needed from law review articles, court opinions, and legal blogs that assumed I already knew the answers. Section1983.org is the resource I wish had existed when I filed my complaint."

Independent and Transparent

Section1983.org is a project of the Institute for Police Conduct, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to police accountability and public transparency. The site is completely independent of law enforcement, government, and corporate sponsors.

All content is open and citable. The site's source code is publicly available, and contributions from legal professionals and pro se litigants are welcome.

Get Involved

Section1983.org is actively expanding. Planned additions include coverage of additional federal circuits, litigation checklists, template documents, and a companion community at r/Section1983_pro_se.

To contribute, volunteer, or make a donation, visit section1983.org/get-involved.

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Media Contact: Institute for Police Conduct, Inc.
Website: policeconduct.org
Email: hello@policeconduct.org