Knowing when to file your civil rights claims can be a tricky part of the legal process. Claims may be barred or tossed out of the courtroom because of what is known as a "statute of limitations." This means that an individual only has a certain amount of time after the act of discrimination or breach of civil rights takes place to file suit. This time period can vary based on the nature of the offense, as well as the type of court that the plaintiff files in- i.e. state or federal.