Police officers are granted broad powers in the course of their duties.
While the majority of officers are responsible in regards to this responsibility,
there are unfortunately others who abuse their power and go beyond the
limits of “reasonable force.” Cases of police using
excessive force against citizens in the course of their duties are all too common in the
news, and can result in serious injury and/or death. When officers overstep
their bounds, they violate the rights of citizens and can be held accountable
for their actions.
Take, for example, the recent case out of Spring Valley High School in
South Carolina, where a
police officer flipped a student’s desk and dragged them across the floor during an arrest. The officer has since
been fired and has reportedly been sued twice in the past. Consider also
the case of a
77-year-old blind Colorado man who suffered a bleeding head wound after being slammed into a ticket counter
by an officer at a bus station. The victim, now 80, has recently been
awarded more than $400,000 by a Colorado jury in compensatory and punitive
damages for the brutal officer’s uncalled-for actions.
Other examples of police brutality include unlawful imprisonment,
illegal search and seizure, racial profiling, false arrest, malicious prosecution, wrongful shootings,
sexual assault, and Taser injuries.
What are My Rights in a Police Brutality Case?
Civil rights laws exist to create a balance between the duty of police
officers to uphold our nation’s laws and the right of individuals
to be free from excessive force by police. A victim of
police brutality may have recourse through state and federal law in a civil rights case.
In these types of cases, a thorough investigation is necessary to uncover
evidence proving the misconduct. Since police officers are, in many cases,
immune from lawsuits, this step is critical. Records, statements from
witnesses and police, and various other pieces of documentation can help
prove that police misconduct took place.
Since the outcome of a case can hinge on the quality of the investigation,
it is crucial to secure experienced representation in a police brutality
case. The Russell Friedman Law Group, LLP has a reputation of excellence
backed by more than 100 years of experience. We are prepared to discuss
your case at no cost to you and help you understand your rights and legal options.
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To set up a
free consultation with a New York police brutality attorney at The Russell Friedman Law
Group, LLP, call us at (855) 465-4622 today.