A Practice Note providing an overview of Section 1983 (42 U.S.C. § 1983) claims for civil rights violations by state and local government actors. This Note explains the substantive elements and major procedural issues in Section 1983 cases, including the color of state law requirement, personal, supervisory claims, official capacity claims, entitlement to absolute or qualified immunity, applicable statutes of limitations, issues of federal jurisdiction and preclusion, and damages.