# What factors are involved in whether a civil rights suits is filed against Zimmerman & how likely? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 15, 2013, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-factors-are-involved-in-whether-a-civil-rights-suits-is-filed-against-zimmerman-how-likely/663541 "2013-07-15T07:11:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-factors-are-involved-in-whether-a-civil-rights-suits-is-filed-against-zimmerman-how-likely/663541/1 "2013-07-15T07:11:56Z")
[“A civil rights suit involves criminal charges for violating someone’s civil rights, which are protected under federal law.”](http://kdvr.com/2013/07/14/in-echo-of-o-j-simpson-case-zimmerman-could-still-be-held-accountable-for-death/) > [@](#): > > The NAACP is pushing the U.S. Department of Justice to file a civil rights suit. > > They accuse Zimmerman of racial profiling that led to Martin’s death — an allegation that Zimmerman, his family and his supporters have denied. > “The most fundamental of civil rights — the right to life — was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin,” the group said. > > NAACP President Benjamin Jealous told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday that remarks made by Zimmerman and people who live in his Sanford, Florida, neighborhood had sparked the group’s concern. > > “When you look at (Zimmerman’s) comments, and when you look at comments made by young black men who lived in that neighborhood about how they felt especially targeted by him, there is reason to be concerned that race was a factor in why he targeted young Trayvon,” Jealous said. > > The NAACP leader’s allegations drew sharp criticism Sunday from Robert Zimmerman Jr., who argued that FBI interviews have already shown that his brother isn’t racist. More at link (see bottom half of article) ---
**Author:** ![Bremidon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@Bremidon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bremidon)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-factors-are-involved-in-whether-a-civil-rights-suits-is-filed-against-zimmerman-how-likely/663541/2 "2013-07-15T10:21:04Z")
I would hope that it is very unlikely, because it is an astoundingly bad idea that more or less amounts to double jeapardy. We couldn’t prove that you killed him? Then we will charge you with denying him life! Then again, considering the actors agitating for this kind of thing, thinking ahead is not their strong suit. The civil action would be significantly stronger and more likely to bear fruit. Even there, I wouldn’t give them more than a 50/50 chance of winning against Zimmerman. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-factors-are-involved-in-whether-a-civil-rights-suits-is-filed-against-zimmerman-how-likely/663541/3 "2013-07-15T12:09:44Z")
> [@Bremidon](#): > > I would hope that it is very unlikely, because it is an astoundingly bad idea that more or less amounts to double jeapardy. > > We couldn’t prove that you killed him? Then we will charge you with denying him life! … So what? IF you violate a federal and state law (or are thought to have) you face two separate trials. It may be double jeopardy, but thanks to the constitution, it’s a legal form of it. As for civil suits, so what? (Again) How much money do you think he had before the event, and then after? It’s one thing to be OJ and have millions to grab, plus saleable memorabilia. It’s another to go after Joe Schmoe who probably already mortgaged his Florida homestead-law protected house to the hilt and emptied his bank accounts. There was an article about the civil rights investigation in the NY Times. Basically they said that they have to prove Zimmerman set out to target him and deny him his rights because he was black. They mentioned also Zimmerman’s history of “targeting” (in a different sense, I suppose) young black men in past 911 calls, and his offhand comment caught by the 911 call. However, like the original case, the burden of proof is high. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-factors-are-involved-in-whether-a-civil-rights-suits-is-filed-against-zimmerman-how-likely/663541/4 "2013-07-15T12:40:45Z")
The analysts on this morning’s news thought that this was just more grasping at straws by the prosecutors. Presumably, it is not a hate crime to kill someone who is trying to harm you. And it is manifestly obvious that the prosecutors couldn’t prove that Zimmerman wasn’t defending himself. (If they could, he would have been convicted of at least manslaughter.) Why would federal prosecutors be able to do any better a job? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-factors-are-involved-in-whether-a-civil-rights-suits-is-filed-against-zimmerman-how-likely/663541/5 "2013-07-15T15:52:53Z")
Given that there is [already a thread on this in Great Debates](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=696527)I’m going to close this and direct further questions there. Colibri General Questions Moderator