Both civil and criminal liability under federal civil rights laws may arise only for a defendant who acts:

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Liability under federal civil rights laws arises only when the defendant acted under color of law, meaning they were acting in their official capacity as a government or law enforcement official. Specific intent or causation of irreparable harm may be factors in determining the severity of the offense, but they are not necessarily required for civil rights violations. Jurisdiction or location of the offense, such as being on state or federal property, is also not a determining factor in civil rights violations.

Both Civil and Criminal Liability Under Federal Civil Rights Laws