What does the term '1983 action' refer to?

The term '1983 action' refers to the ability to pursue a civil lawsuit under Section 1983 of Title 42 of the United States Code. This provision allows individuals to sue state or local government officials for violations of their constitutional rights. It is primarily employed in cases where a person believes that their civil rights have been infringed upon, such as in instances of excessive force by law enforcement or unlawful detention.

This legal mechanism is significant because it provides a federal remedy for individuals whose rights have been violated by government actors, thereby enhancing accountability and offering a means of redress when state laws might not suffice. It is rooted in the Civil Rights Act of 1871, which was designed to protect the rights of formerly enslaved individuals and has since been expanded to cover a broader range of civil rights issues.

The other options focus on unrelated legal issues: private complaints, traffic laws, or police self-reporting, none of which relate to the civil rights focus inherent to Section 1983 actions.