Analyzes the fundamental issues that arise in litigation under 42 U.S.C. Par. 1983, the statute for redressing constitution & federal statutory violations, & the case law interpreting those issues. Research for this first edition concluded with the 1997-1998 Supreme Court term. Chapters: Introduction to Constitutional Torts Litigation; Action Under Color of LawÓ; Deprivation of Selected Constitutional Rights; Deprivation of Federal Statutory Rights; Governmental & Supervisory Liability; Absolute Immunity; A Functional Approach; Qualified Immunity from Damages; Procedural Defenses; Abstention Doctrines; Remedies; & Table of Cases.