A 9.6 Section 1983 Claim Against Local Governing Body Defendants Based on Act of Final Policymaker-Elements and Burden of Proof is a type of civil rights lawsuit filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against a local governing body, such as a City or County, based on an act of a final policymaker. In order for a plaintiff to prevail on a 9.6 Section 1983 Claim, they must prove that: (1) the local governing body had an official policy, custom, or practice; (2) a policymaker had final policymaking authority; (3) the policymaker's act caused a deprivation of the plaintiff's constitutional rights; and (4) the deprivation of rights was the result of a conscious choice or deliberate indifference on the part of the policymaker. The plaintiff must also demonstrate that they have suffered injury as a result of the policymaker's action. The burden of proof in a 9.6 Section 1983 Claim is on the plaintiff to demonstrate all the elements by a preponderance of the evidence.