Which title punishes the act of civil rights deprivation itself?

Title 18 of the United States Code is the section that encompasses federal criminal law, including laws related to civil rights violations. Specifically, it includes provisions that address the deprivation of civil rights under color of law, which means violations committed by government officials while they are performing their official duties.

This title provides the framework for prosecuting actions taken by law enforcement or other officials that infringe upon an individual's constitutional rights, such as the right to free speech, the right to due process, and the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. These protections are critical because they uphold the foundation of civil liberties and ensure that citizens have recourse against abuse by authority figures.

The other titles mentioned do not specifically address civil rights violations in the same manner. They cover different areas of law. For example, Title 17 primarily deals with copyright laws, Title 19 relates to customs duties and trade, and Title 21 focuses on federal drug laws. Therefore, Title 18 stands out as the appropriate designation for the legal consequences associated with deprivation of civil rights.