U.S. Code » Title 34 » Subtitle Subtitle I— Comprehensive Acts › Chapter CHAPTER 121— VIOLENT CRIME CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER VIII— STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT › Part Part B— Police Pattern or Practice

34 U.S.C. § 12601

Cause of action

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(a) Unlawful conduct

It shall be unlawful for any governmental authority, or any agent thereof, or any person acting on behalf of a governmental authority, to engage in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers or by officials or employees of any governmental agency with responsibility for the administration of juvenile justice or the incarceration of juveniles that deprives persons of rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.

(b) Civil action by Attorney General

Whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of paragraph (1) 11 So in original. Probably should be “subsection (a) of this section”. has occurred, the Attorney General, for or in the name of the United States, may in a civil action obtain appropriate equitable and declaratory relief to eliminate the pattern or practice.

(Pub. L. 103–322, title XXI, § 210401, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2071.)Editorial NotesCodification

Section was formerly classified to section 14141 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 95 cases (76 in the last 5 years), 2018–2026 · leading case: United States v. Lauderdale Cnty., 914 F.3d 960 (5th Cir. 2019).
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United States v. Lauderdale Cnty., 914 F.3d 960 (5th Cir. 2019). · cites it 16× “The question is whether the phrase "officials or employees of any governmental agency with responsibility for the administration of juvenile justice," as it is used in 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (a), includes the judges of a county youth court.”
United States v. Cnty. of Maricopa, 889 F.3d 648 (9th Cir. 2018). · cites it 6× “The panel held that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 34 U.S.C. § 12601 authorized policymaker liability.”
United States v. Town of Colorado City, 935 F.3d 804 (9th Cir. 2019). · cites it 7× “TOWN OF COLORADO CITY SUMMARY** Civil Rights The panel affirmed the district court’s judgment in favor of the United States in its action against the Town of Colorado City, Arizona brought under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 , which…”
United States v. City of Meridian, 914 F.3d 960 (5th Cir. 2019). · cites it 16× “The question is whether the phrase “officials or employees of any governmental agency with responsibility for the administration of juvenile justice,” as it is used in 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (a), includes the judges of a county youth court.”
United States v. Town of Colorado City, No. 17-16472 (9th Cir. Aug. 26, 2019). · cites it 7× “TOWN OF COLORADO CITY SUMMARY** Civil Rights The panel affirmed the district court’s judgment in favor of the United States in its action against the Town of Colorado City, Arizona brought under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 , which…”
City Of Seattle v. Seattle Police Officers' Guild, 484 P.3d 485 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 6× “§ 1983 , and 34 U.S.C. § 12601 , which makes it “unlawful for any governmental authority .”
North v. Harris Cent. Appraisal Dist., No. 4:23-cv-04067 (S.D. Tex. Aug. 27, 2024). · cites it 6× “But the Declaration of Independence is not a statement of law and does not grant enforceable rights.”
Iyonsi v. Honolulu Police Dep't, No. 1:19-cv-00429 (D. Haw. Aug. 29, 2019). · cites it 5× “Section 14141, which is now codified at 34 U.S.C. § 12601 ,3 provides: 3 United States v.”
Gray v. Hawaii Police Dep't, No. 1:24-cv-00185 (D. Haw. May 21, 2024). · cites it 5× “She therefore brings the following causes of action: (1) “Police Misconduct Provision” ( 34 U.S.C. § 12601 ); (2) 18 U.S. Code § 1519 ; (3) Section 4 of the Article 2 of the Constitution; (4) Equal Treatment; and (5) Due Process of Law.”
Tuttle v. Ontario Police Dep't, No. 2:22-cv-01023 (D. Or. Aug. 3, 2023). · cites it 5× “§ 1983 and 34 U.S.C. § 12601 . Am. Compl. (“AC”), ECF 7.”
Head v. City of Sioux Falls, No. 4:24-cv-04175 (D.S.D. May 30, 2025). · cites it 5× “The Heads allege violations of their due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment, and violations of 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (criminalizing “pattern or practice of conduct .”
Ellar v. Mesa, City of, No. 2:22-cv-01801 (D. Ariz. June 21, 2023). · cites it 4× “§ 13-1202, the MPD code of conduct, and 34 U.S.C. § 12601 , causing 27 Plaintiffs such injuries as “[c]ynicism and suspiciousness, emotional detachment, reduced 28 efficiency, early retirement, marital and/or other family problems,” “Cumulative Post- 1 Traumatic Stress…”
Show all 95 citing cases →
34 U.S.C. § 12601(a): 1 case
Walker v. Am. Red Cross, No. 6:20-cv-01755 (D. Or. Apr. 1, 2021).
34 U.S.C. § 12601(b): 1 case
Walker v. Am. Red Cross, No. 6:20-cv-01755 (D. Or. Apr. 1, 2021).
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