{"id":355600,"date":"2016-04-04T10:41:54","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:41:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/civilrights\/civil-rights-overview\/civil-rights-vs-civil-liberties.html"},"modified":"2023-10-16T15:39:00","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T20:39:00","slug":"civil-rights-vs-civil-liberties","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/civil-rights-overview\/civil-rights-vs-civil-liberties.html","title":{"rendered":"Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

The terms “civil rights” and “civil liberties” are often used interchangeably, but their meanings are distinct. Civil liberties<\/a> are freedoms guaranteed to you by the Constitution to protect you from tyranny. One key civil liberty, for example, is the First Amendment right<\/a> to freedom of speech. Civil rights<\/a>, in contrast, are the legal rights detailed in federal laws and statutes that protect you from discrimination. An example of a civil right is the right to be free from employment discrimination based on a protected factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to a fair court trial. You also have the right to vote and the right to privacy. Americans are generally familiar with these rights, but are they considered civil rights<\/a> or civil liberties?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article explores the differences between civil rights and civil liberties, with specific laws corresponding to each term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Civil Rights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Civil rights concern the basic right to be free from unequal treatment based on certain protected characteristics. Civil rights are generally associated with protecting minority groups such as women and African Americans. Protected characteristics include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n