BIVENS ACTION

Bivens action. A lawsuit brought to redress a federal official’s violation of a constitutional right. Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388, 91 S.Ct. 1999 (1971). • A Bivens action allows federal officials to be sued in a manner similar to that set forth at 42 USCA § 1983 for state officials who violate a person’s constitutional rights under color of state law. [Cases: United States  50.1.][Blacks Law 8th]