Basic Corrections Officer Certification Study Guide 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

A civil action can be filed under 42 USC 1983 when a person's rights are violated by an agent of the government. This law allows individuals to sue for damages when they believe their constitutional rights have been infringed upon, specifically by someone acting under the authority of state law. The emphasis here is on government agents, which can include law enforcement officers, corrections officers, or any government employee whose actions lead to a violation of an individual's federally protected rights.

Filing under this statute is a critical mechanism for holding government officials accountable and providing a means for individuals to seek redress when their rights are not upheld. This is why the correct answer focuses specifically on the actions of government agents, as opposed to other scenarios, such as conflicts between inmates or policies being found outdated, which do not directly meet the criteria for filing a civil action under this statute.