PRACTICE AREAS
- PERSONAL INJURY
- CIVIL RIGHTS
- EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
- POLICE & GOVERNMENTAL MISCONDUCT
- MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
- CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS
- WORKPLACE INJURIES
- CAR ACCIDENTS
- PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS
- NO FAULT
- IMPROPER SCHOOL SUPERVISION
- MUNICIPAL LIABILITY
- TRAIN, SUBWAY AND BUS ACCIDENTS
- FIGHTING AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANIES
- Excessive force
- False arrest
- Frisking a suspect roughly, unnecessarily or inappropriately
- Illegal vehicle stops
- Racial profiling
- Police assault and battery
- Police brutality
- Police raids
- Police shootings
Excessive force and false arrest – also known as police abuse of power or brutality – are when members of the police misuse their power during traffic stops, home or business raids or other police actions. Force cases arise when police use physical force or intimidation that is not justified. False arrest cases occur when police arrest or detain people without probable cause – a legal term that basically means a legitimate basis to believe the person has committed or will commit a crime.
Federal law allows people who believe they have been the victim of any type of police misconduct to pursue relief in the context that the police officer violated their civil rights. It can be challenging to determine whether the actions of police violated your civil rights or if they were merely unprofessional.
Just because a person is in jail or prison doesn’t mean they don’t have the same basic constitutional rights as other people. A guard cannot verbally, physically or sexually harass a prisoner. The staff must provide prompt medical care when it’s obvious that the prisoner needs it. Failure to provide for the fundamental rights of prisoners can result in unnecessary physical injury, emotional trauma or even death.
Some examples of corrections misconduct and abuse include:
- Failure to protect from sexual assault
- Failure to protect from physical assault
- Direct physical assault
- Extreme verbal and emotional abuse
- Sexual assault or harassment
- Failure to provide medical care
- Failure to provide required medications or treatment
If you have been assaulted, brutalized, falsely arrested or imprisoned by the police or corrections, contact Steve Williamson to discuss your case and protect your rights.
