Know Your Rights
Every major area of your legal rights in the United States, on one page. Each section gives you the basics in plain language and links to the full LAWS.com guide.
Rights by situation
Not sure where to start? Pick what is happening to you.
Stopped or arrested by police
Facing eviction or a bad landlord
Fired, harassed or treated unfairly at work
Scammed or misled by a business
In the hospital or seeing a doctor
Unsafe at home
Civil & human rights
Civil rights
Protection from unfair treatment by the government, employers, landlords and businesses based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability and other traits. Learn which laws apply and how to act when your rights are violated.
Read: What are civil rights? →Human rights
The basic rights every person holds, like life, liberty, fair treatment and freedom from torture and slavery. Covers how these rights are defined and protected in U.S. and international law.
Explore human rights →Women's rights
Equal pay, protection from sex discrimination and harassment, reproductive health and the history of the fight for equality under the law.
Explore women's rights →LGBTQ rights
How the law has changed for LGBTQ people, from the gay rights movement to marriage equality, and the protections that exist today.
Read: The gay rights movement →Immigrant rights
People in the U.S. have certain constitutional protections whatever their immigration status, including due process in court. Learn what applies to you.
Read: Legal rights of immigrants →Constitution & voting
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution: free speech and religion, the right to bear arms, protection from unreasonable searches, due process, a fair trial and more.
Read: Bill of Rights overview →Gun rights
What the Second Amendment protects, and how federal and state laws regulate buying, owning and carrying firearms.
Read: Gun rights →Voting rights
Your right to vote and the laws that protect it, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which bans racial discrimination in voting.
Read: The Voting Rights Act →Criminal justice
Miranda rights
If you are in custody and questioned by police, you have the right to stay silent and the right to a lawyer. Learn what the warning means and when it applies.
Read: Miranda rights →Right to counsel
The Sixth Amendment guarantees a lawyer in criminal cases. If you cannot afford one, the court must appoint one when you face jail time.
Read: Right to counsel →Victims' rights
Crime victims have rights too, such as being informed about the case, being heard at key stages and seeking restitution.
Read: Rights of victims →Family
Domestic violence
What counts as domestic violence, how protective orders work and what the law does to keep victims safe.
Read: Domestic violence laws →Custody rights
How courts decide custody and visitation based on the best interests of the child, and what rights each parent has.
Read: Custody rights →Paternity rights
How legal fatherhood is established and the rights and duties that come with it, including custody, visitation and support.
Read: Paternity rights →Grandparents' rights
When grandparents can ask a court for visitation or custody. The rules vary a lot from state to state.
Read: Grandparents' rights →Housing, work, money & health
Tenant rights
Your rights as a renter: a safe place to live, proper notice before eviction, limits on security deposits and protection from housing discrimination.
Read: Tenant rights →Employee rights
Minimum wage and overtime, safe working conditions, protection from discrimination and retaliation, and your options if you are fired.
Read: Employee rights →Consumer rights
Protection from false advertising, unfair billing and scams, plus your rights to accurate information, safe products and a fix when things go wrong.
Read: Consumer rights →Patient rights
Your medical information is private. Learn when doctors and hospitals can share it and what you can do if they do not protect it.
Read: Patient confidentiality →Where to get help
Free, national services. If you are in danger right now, call 911.
Find free legal aid
Legal Services Corporation directory of free civil legal aid near you.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7, free and confidential.
thehotline.org
RAINN (sexual assault)
Support for survivors of sexual violence, 24/7 by phone, chat or text.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, 24/7 support for anyone in emotional distress.
Local services (211)
Connects you to local help with housing, food, bills and more.
Report discrimination or fraud
Work: EEOC
Housing: HUD
Scams: FTC ReportFraud
Hotline numbers and links checked September 24, 2026.
About this guide
LAWS.com publishes free legal information and daily coverage of court cases. This page brings our rights guides together so you can find the right one fast. Each summary is short on purpose; the linked guide has the details.
Libraries, schools, legal aid groups and rights organizations are welcome to link to this page or print it for patrons and clients.