what kind of attorney do i need to sue sheriff's dept

Posted on Nov 8, 2012 You need a civil rights attorney. An action for false arrest or excessive force is usually based of 42 USC sec 1983.

Full Answer

Can I sue the police?

Nov 06, 2012 · You need a civil rights attorney. An action for false arrest or excessive force is usually based of 42 USC sec 1983. Our firm handles such claims throughout the state of Florida and has offices in Tampa. Feel free to call and schedule an appointment or visit www.madduxattorneys.com to read more about police misconduct cases.

How do I file a lawsuit against a police department?

Oct 19, 2009 · Re: Police/Sheriff: Who Gets Served. If you want to sue a city, you file a claim with the city council. The county, with the county board. Governmental entities have soverign immunity and are exempt from civil suit. However, many states have allowed governmental entities to be sued up to a certain amount, typically 100k, which is usually ...

Can I sue a local government for an injury?

Dec 10, 2020 · Suing the police is an option if they have engaged in misconduct by violating someone’s constitutional rights. It is difficult to succeed in a lawsuit against the police, but not impossible. Law enforcement is not above the law, and a victim of police misconduct has the option to sue the police, either by filing a complaint against an ...

Can I sue the police for a false arrest?

Apr 10, 2013 · Mark A. Manning (Unclaimed Profile) Update Your Profile. Answered on Apr 11th, 2013 at 11:38 AM. In Michigan you cannot sue the police department for doing their jobs. They are typically covered by governmental immunity. Report Abuse. Report Abuse.

How to Sue a Police Department or Sheriff

IOWA#N#If I want to sue (civil action, false arrest, IOWA) a sheriff or a city police officer do I have to notify the county or city first, and if so, who exactly?

Re: How to Sue a Police Department or Sheriff

This is the incident? How would that be a false arrest? (Have you been acquitted yet?) You're not going to win a case against the officer based upon the contention that the officer didn't do enough independent corroboration of the alleged victim's complaint against you.#N#You can read Iowa's laws of governmental immunity at Iowa Statutes Chapter 670..

What is excessive force?

Excessive Force: Where a person has been the victim of excessive force by a police officer that resulted in serious injury or death, they have grounds for a lawsuit against the police.

How to be successful in a lawsuit against the police?

In order to be successful in a lawsuit against the police, it is important that you have taken to protect your rights in court. First, save any evidence of police misconduct. This might include photographs or video, eyewitness testimony, or medical records if you suffered physical injuries.

Can you sue the police?

Suing the police is an option if they have engaged in misconduct by violating someone’s constitutional rights. It is difficult to succeed in a lawsuit against the police, but not impossible. Law enforcement is not above the law, and a victim of police misconduct has the option to sue the police, either by filing a complaint against an individual ...

What happens if you sue the police?

If you are successful in a lawsuit against the police and prevail at trial the available damages depend on the circumstances of the case: Economic Damages: if the court found that the police were guilty of misconduct, the plaintiff might be awarded economic damages to compensate for financial losses.

What is the difference between harassment and discrimination?

Harassment can include a variety of behavior on the part of the police, including illegally spying or surveilling, racial profiling, or making sexist, racist, or homophobic comments. Discrimination: Like harassment, there must be proof that the behavior is part of a pattern. Discrimination might be on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sex, ...

What is the 4th amendment?

Fourth Amendment Violation: The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees protection from unreasonable searches and seizures at the hands of the government. The police are considered agents of the government and are required to adhere to the protections in the Fourth Amendment.

What is government immunity?

Governmental immunity is a policy that protects governments and government agencies from lawsuits in many cases. The intent behind governmental immunity is to make it easier for governments to make decisions and take action without the fear of being sued for their conduct.

What is the law that protects citizens from abuse and other violations by government officials?

Federal and state laws protect citizens from abuse and other violations by government officials, such as police officers. Victims of abuse by police can sue the officers individually as well as the local governments that employ them. Typically, people sue the police under Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1871. This law is known simply as Section 1983, and it specifically prohibits anyone acting under the authority of the law from violating another person’s civil rights under the U.S. Constitution.

What is police misconduct?

The police abuses and violations suffered by citizens that are most often litigated are known generally as police misconduct. These cases usually involve, but are not limited to, actions such as discrimination, harassment, false arrest, and excessive force. In order to sue the police for discrimination or harassment, ...

What happens if you sue the police?

If you sue the police for misconduct and win, you may be awarded damages, or monetary compensation, as restitution for the violation of your civil rights and any physical or emotional injuries. The court may also require the police officers and police department involved to pay punitive damages, which is meant as punishment for the misconduct.

Why is it important to work with an attorney?

It is important to work with an attorney, especially one who is familiar with police misconduct cases, because they are complex and difficult to try in court. Also, if you have been charged with a crime as part of the incident; oftentimes, police will charge victims of their misconduct with a crime, such as resisting arrest or assault, ...

What is Section 1983?

This law is known simply as Section 1983, and it specifically prohibits anyone acting under the authority of the law from violating another person’s civil rights under the U.S. Constitution. The police also enjoy legal protections, including “qualified immunity,” which generally insulates them from lawsuits.

Who is Jeffrey Johnson?

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

What is false arrest?

False arrest claims usually assert that the victim’s Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable seizure was violated. To prove such a violation, the victim must show that the police did not have probable cause, or sufficient evidence to warrant an arrest. If the police had probable cause, or believed that they had probable cause, ...

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury?

The statute of limitations is a legal term that describes the period of time in which you must file a lawsuit or bring an injury claim after your injuries.

How long do you have to file a lawsuit against a state?

Some jurisdictions require that you file a claim within 30 days of your injury. Other states require a claim within 60, 90, or 120 days after your injury. Many states have one time limit for claims against a city, town, county, ...

Who can be held responsible for a personal injury?

A city, town, county, or state government can be held responsible when it causes injuries, just as any normal person or business can be held liable. However, unlike normal personal injury lawsuits, there are rigid steps to follow and deadlines to meet for an injury claim against the government. Failure to follow these steps or meet ...

Is the government immune to injury claims?

The Government May Be Immune From Your Injury Claims. The government is immune from certain injury claims. While this immunity is less broad than in the past, the government is still immune from many injury claims. Again, this immunity (often referred to as "Sovereign Immunity") varies from state to state.

What is negligence in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, governmental employees and entities also enjoy certain immunities from liability.

How long do you have to wait to file a lawsuit?

This period is typically between 30 and 120 days. The court will dismiss a lawsuit that is filed before the Notice of Claim period expires.

Can you file a lawsuit against the government?

In most states, you cannot simply file a lawsuit in court against the government. Instead, you need to provide a "Notice of Claim" to the government. If you do not follow notice of claim guidelines, your lawsuit will be dismissed by the court.