Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in California

Can you be refused service after complaining?

Five girlfrieds and I were in a restaurant, we ordered drinks and appetizers and were asked to pay up-front. When the drinks arrived, 3 of us complained that our drink was too sweet, the manager was called to the bar, he gave the bartender permission to replace the drinks with the exact same kind of drink, which was again improperly fixed. We were then rudely told we had to leave and weren't going to get service. Our money was given back and we left. Can we sue for violation of civil rights for refusal to serve patron & removal from restaurant?


Asked on 10/05/01, 3:53 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Miller Robert L. Miller & Associates, A Law Corporation

Re: Can you be refused service after complaining?

Thanks for your posting. A "civil rights" violation is a violation of some fundamental right, i.e., freedom from discrimination based upon a protected class -- such as race, religion, national origin, or beliefs.

Most restaurants have a sign reserving the right to refuse service to anyone. The only cases where this has not been upheld are where this is a pretext for some type of illegal discrimination, such as racial discrimination.

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Answered on 11/21/01, 5:13 pm


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