Police Misconduct
What happens when the police officers we trust to protect us are the cause of our injuries and damages?
Police officers take an oath to protect and serve. They are expected to remain true to this oath throughout their careers and even place their lives on the line to protect the citizens in their jurisdictions. Guilt or innocence aside, everyone is entitled to basic human rights when being questioned, detained, arrested or imprisoned. However, there are some cases in which a person under arrest or in prison is assaulted, abused or treated so inhumanely that physical and/or mental injuries are sustained.
Police misconduct encompasses illegal or unethical actions or the violation of individuals’ constitutional rights by police officers in the conduct of their duties. Examples of police misconduct include police brutality, dishonesty, fraud, coercion, torture to force confessions, abuse of authority, and sexual assault, including the demand for sexual favors in exchange for leniency.
What is Police Misconduct?
Police misconduct refers to inappropriate or illegal actions taken by police officers in connection with their official duties. Police misconduct can lead to a miscarriage of justice and sometimes involves discrimination or obstruction of justice. Examples of police misconduct include:
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Racial profiling
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Unwarranted searches
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Sexual abuse
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Malicious prosecution
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False arrest
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Police brutality
What is Police Brutality?
Police brutality is the use of excessive and/or unnecessary force by police when dealing with civilians. “Excessive use of force” means a force well beyond what would be necessary in order to handle a situation.
Why Speak Up?
As a member of any community in the United States, you have rights—and those rights are supposed to be protected by police officers, not violated by them. Oftentimes victims of civil rights violations do not speak up out of fear that they will be further targeted, or out of fear that they will not be believed. However, law enforcement must be held to a higher standard by being held accountable for misconduct.
Have Your Civil Rights Been Violated? Representing Victims Of Misconduct When They Need It Most
At 1-800-LAW-FIRM, we believe that justice must be served for victims of police misconduct. We have the resources to take on police departments and will not be intimidated by their power and influence.
When representing a client with a criminal charge involving allegations of police misconduct, our team understands the importance of preserving clients’ potential civil claims against the police department under Federal Law.
Through the use of subpoena power and other investigatory strategies, the team at 1-800-LAW-FIRM hunts down all available evidence to ensure our attorneys will be able to effectively evaluate a client’s civil claim moving forward.
Understand Your Legal Options
If you experienced or witnessed a civil rights violation by a police officer or other authoritative figure, 1-800-LAW-FIRM will defend your rights. All consultations are completely free and confidential.