Civil Rights

Civil rights include the freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and expression; the rights to due process of law and equal protection under the law; and the right to be free from discrimination on the basis of sex, age, disability, race, national origin, or religion. They also include freedom from unreasonable and unwarranted searches and seizures, cruel and unusual punishment, the right to bear arms, and the right to petition the government. The Constitution of the United States vests these rights and privileges in every American citizen, and these fundamental rights and liberties are enforceable in courts through federal statute. The Ohio Constitution and Ohio Revised Code provide similar protections.