Legal Definitions - state action

State action refers to actions taken by the government that can be attributed to it. This is the legal basis for a damages claim arising from a governmental violation of any person's civil rights.

• A police officer uses excessive force during an arrest.
• A government agency denies someone a job based on their race.
• A public school expels a student without due process.

These examples illustrate state action because they involve actions taken by the government or its agents that violate someone's civil rights. In each case, the government can be held responsible for the harm caused by its actions.