what kind of attorney protect the police from there department

by Dr. Kassandra Sauer Jr. 8 min read

If the cops violated your rights, it’s imperative that you speak to a lawyer right away. Philadelphia civil rights attorney Lauren Wimmer is committed to holding the police accountable and will not hesitate to file a claim against any law enforcement agency if the facts warrant it.

Full Answer

What legal protections do police officers have?

Oct 13, 2020 · This law makes it unlawful for State or local law enforcement officers to engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives persons of rights protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States. (34 U.S.C. § 12601).

Can a private citizen sue a police officer?

Jul 16, 2021 · 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.

What are the laws protecting victims of police abuse?

Mar 19, 2021 · After the violations have been reported to the police department or the U.S. Attorney’s office, a person may then proceed to filing a lawsuit in court against the police department and/or their officers. It is important to remember that in a civil lawsuit it is the claimant who has the burden of proving that a police officer engaged in misconduct.

What does a police brutality lawyer do?

Feb 25, 2019 · A police officer, for example, cannot subject a person to an unlawful search or seizure, in accordance with the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Suing a Police Department. When private citizens sue an individual cop, they will likely sue the employer police department as well, and both will be defendants in the lawsuit.

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Can you sue the police?

An assault by a police officer is one of the main causes of a person suing the police for misconduct. If you have been assaulted by a police officer, you could claim police negligence compensation. You will claim either against the police force as a whole or the specific police officer who assaulted you.Jan 17, 2022

Who is responsible for law enforcement?

The principal national ministry concerned with law enforcement is the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which supervises a large number of government functions and agencies operated and administered by the central government.

How do I report police corruption?

In the Western Cape you can call 021 483 5624 toll free....You can report corrupt activity to the Public Protector in various ways:Phone 0800 11 20 40, toll free.Fax to 012 362 3473.Complete the online form.Download a complaints form, fill it in and post it to.

What are the four responsibilities of the police?

As part of law enforcement, police officers have four major responsibilities: enforcing laws, preventing crimes, responding to emergencies, and providing support services.Oct 26, 2021

What is the difference between law enforcement and policing?

Law enforcement it is an effective way to maintain public order and focuses on requiring compliance with the community members. As for good policing by using physical force is last resort, to protect and serve the public, and providing services.

What do the Hawks investigate?

The function of the HAWKS is to prevent, combat and investigate national priority offences, in particular serious organised crime, serious commercial crime and serious corruption.

How do you deal with police harassment?

Whenever there is a situation where a victim is needed to go to a Police Station to Complain Against a Police Officer, always take a lawyer with you. If there is a need to file a complaint against a Police Officer, over his misconduct, the victim should file it in the commissioner's office in the city.Jan 5, 2018

Where do I report government officials acting unethically?

“Citizens can now simply text 8888 from both Globe and Smart and their affiliate telcos and raise their concerns, complaints and grievances on graft and corrupt practices by government officials and employees and slow and inefficient delivery of government services and requests for government assistance -- free of ...Nov 25, 2020

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.

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 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.

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 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.

What to do if police violate your rights?

What to Do If The Police Violate Your Rights 1 The first step is to file a complaint with the police department or the internal affairs division of the police department where the officer is employed. It is generally a requirement that a person exhaust all administrative remedies before bringing a lawsuit; that means seeking a remedy from the agencies involved before turning to the courts; 2 After reporting to the police department, the next step is to report the misconduct to the U.S. Department of Justice or the office of the U.S. Attorney; 3 After the violations have been reported to the police department or the U.S. Attorney’s office, a person may then proceed to filing a lawsuit in court against the police department and/or their officers.

What are some examples of police misconduct?

There are many possible examples of criminal police misconduct, including; Bribery; Extortion; Receiving or fencing stolen property; Selling drugs;

What is police brutality?

Police brutality can arise when an officer uses more force than a situation requires. A police officer should use only the minimum amount of force necessary to handle a person who is being arrested, stop an incident from taking place or protect themselves or others from harm. If an officer uses more than the minimum force necessary, ...

Is it illegal to deprive a person of their rights under the Constitution?

A federal law makes it illegal for anyone acting under the authority of the law of any state to deprive a person of their rights under the U.S. Constitution or federal law.

What is aggravated damages?

Aggravated Damages: Aggravated damages would be awarded in the exceptional case where the police conduct was especially egregious; aggravated damages would be awarded where the officer’s conduct subjected a person to distress, embarrassment and humiliation;

Can a police officer be a witness in a criminal trial?

If a police officer is charged with a crime as result of an incident in which a person is the victim, the person may serve as a witness in a criminal trial. However, the person does not recover damages from a criminal trial and is not a party to the legal action.

Can a police officer be sued for money damages?

A person whose constitutional rights have been violated by a police officer may be able to file a civil lawsuit seeking money damages. Police officers can commit misconduct where they are on-duty or off-duty. If the officer is acting, or claiming to act, in their official capacity, then police misconduct can be claimed if they commit ...

What is the purpose of punitive damages?

The purpose of punitive damages in cases like these is to discourage future wrongful conduct by police officers and police departments, and they are rarely awarded. Protecting Your Rights after the Police Violated Them.

Who is Lauren Wimmer?

Philadelphia civil rights lawyer Lauren Wimmer can review the evidence in your case and explain your legal options. To schedule your free consultation and case evaluation with an experienced attorney, please call today at 215-712-1212, or contact us online.

Do police officers have probable cause?

You may also allege that the police officer who initiated the arrest did not have the necessary evidence, probable cause, or warrant to make a valid and legal arrest. However, if the police officer reasonably believed that he or she had probable cause, most courts will not determine that the police engaged in any unlawful activity.

Can a police officer use deadly force?

However, a police officer is allowed to use an amount of force which is proportionate to the amount of force being used against him or her. In some limited instances, a police officer might even be justified in using deadly force, assuming the victim used deadly force against the officer.

Can you sue a police officer for harassment?

In order to sue the police department for harassment or unlawful discrimination, you must demonstrate that a particular officer engaged in a pattern of harassing or discriminatory behavior. You could also sue the police department for false arrest. In that instance, you would likely contend that your Fourth Amendment right against unlawful searches ...

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.

What is the immunity of a police officer?

Qualified immunity means that police officers are protected from being sued as long as they are acting within the guidelines of their job and not acting negligently or unreasonably.

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.

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.

Which amendment protects against police brutality?

Fortunately, victims of police misconduct and police brutality are protected by Federal Law. The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures, which includes the use of excessive force by law enforcement officials.

What is the responsibility of police officers?

Police officers have a responsibility to protect civilians against crime and acts of injustice. Yet, many times, it is the officers themselves who are violating the law.

What is false arrest?

False Arrest. One claim often made is false arrest. When someone makes a false arrest claim, they maintain that a police officer has violated their Fourth Amendment right prohibiting unreasonable seizure. If an officer has “probable cause,” however, it will not be ruled that the plaintiff’s rights have been violated.

How can police use excessive force?

Here are examples of ways in which police officers can use excessive force on you: Using their weapons and equipment to intimidate or even hurt you: guns, tasers, batons, pepper spray, et. Faking your arrest when they don’t have any legal reason to arrest you. Sexual abuse, mostly covered by body searches.

What is police misconduct?

Police misconduct occurs when an officer of the law acts in a manner that is beyond the scope of their abilities. In most cases, this equates to the use of “excessive force”, otherwise referred to as any action or measure taken by an officer than is considered unreasonable.

How many people were shot by police in 2016?

According to the Washington Post — who attempted one of the most comprehensive analyses of data around the nation — in 2016, 963 people were shot and killed by police in the US.

Jason Todd Studinski

If I understand your question, you are seeking a civil rights lawyer who has handled cases against law enforcement agencies. Good luck.

George Costas Andriotis

Follow Mr. Lassen's advice at it doesn't appear that you have much to go on for a lawsuit.

Christian K. Lassen II

Have a local lawyer resolve this mistake so you can get your license back.

1 attorney answer

Police officers have qualified immunity which means they are almost impossible to sue. In addition, if you get sued, they are likely going to sue the police department (deep pockets) and the city attorney will be available for you.

Matthew Vernon Silva

Police officers have qualified immunity which means they are almost impossible to sue. In addition, if you get sued, they are likely going to sue the police department (deep pockets) and the city attorney will be available for you.

What are the statutes that protect the President?

The primary statutes relevant to protection of the President and other Secret Service protectees are as follows: 18 U.S.C. §§ 871, 879, 1751, 1752, and 3056 ( d). Other relevant statutes include: 18 U.S.C. §§ 115, 351, and 2332b. Supervisory authority over 18 U.S.C. §§ 871, 879, 1751, and 3056 (d) rests with the Counterterrorism Section (CTS) ...

Which agency has jurisdiction over the Federal Bureau of Investigation?

Section 351 (g) of Title 18, United States Code, assigns investigative jurisdiction over these offenses to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division has supervisory authority over 18 U.S.C. § 351, and should be notified telephonically immediately upon the initiation of an investigation.

What are the FBI investigations?

All assaults on, kidnapping of, and murders of Federal officers will be investigated exclusively by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) except: 1 The FBI does not, at the request of the Treasury Department, investigate assaults on, kidnapping of, or murders of any Treasury Department personnel. This includes Secret Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Customs. However, if the Bureau believes that its absence from a case is materially affecting the interests of justice, it is to call this to the attention of the Attorney General. 2 In accordance with an agreement between the Postal Service and the Justice Department, investigative jurisdiction of offenses in Postal Service buildings against postal laws, or involving, among other things, offenses committed by postal employees, is with the Postal Service inspectors. Thus, the responsibility for investigating the large majority of cases involving postal employees that can be expected to arise under 18 U.S.C. § 111 will be with the postal inspectors. FBI investigation of assaults on, kidnapping of, and murders of Postal Service employees is limited to the following three situations: (1) assaults, kidnapping, or homicides of postal employees which are incidental to some other crime which is within the investigative jurisdiction of the FBI; (2) assaults, kidnapping, or homicides of Postal Inspectors believed to have been committed by persons who are not employees of the Postal Service; (3) in any other situation where the FBI is directed by the Department of Justice to investigate.

Who does the Secret Service report to?

§ 3056 (d) and forward copies of all investigative reports to the United States Attorney and to the Counterterrorism Section (CTS) of the National Security Division.

What is Section 1114?

Section 1114 and related statutes are now available, however, for violent attacks upon other Federal officials and employees of the White House and other Executive Branch agencies not covered by § 1751.

What is the media attention given to certain kinds of criminal activity?

Media attention given to certain kinds of criminal activity seems to generate further criminal activity; this is especially true concerning Presidential threats which is well documented by data previously supplied by the United States Secret Service. For example, in the six-month period following the March 30, 1981, attempt on the life of President Reagan, the average number of threats against protectees of the Secret Service increased by over 150 percent from a similar period during the prior year.

What is the counter terrorism section?

The Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division has supervisory authority over 18 U.S.C. §§ 871 and 879 cases. As great caution must be taken in matters relating to the security of the persons protected by 18 U.S.C. § 871, United States Attorneys are encouraged to consult with the Counterterrorism Section (CTS) of the National Security Division when they have doubts on the prosecutive merit of a case. For the same reason, dismissal of complaints under 18 U.S.C. § 871, when the defendant is in custody under the Mental Incompetency Statutes (18 U.S.C. §§ 4244, 4246), requires approval from CTS. In other cases, United States Attorneys must consult prior to dismissing a count involving, or entering into any sentence commitment or other case settlement involving a § 871 charge.

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Risks

  • It is absolutely possible to sue the police, because they are not themselves above the law. While it is difficult, it is definitely not impossible to succeed in a lawsuit against the police. Lawsuits against law enforcement typically involve some form of police misconduct. Police misconduct occurs when a police officer violates someone elses constitutional rights.
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Examples

  • There are several examples of police misconduct, including false arrest and imprisonment, perjury, police brutality and corruption, racial profiling, and the falsification and spoliation of evidence, among others. The most common of these misconduct claims are:
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Causes

  • Suing a police officer for emotional distress is also possible. However, it is on the victim to prove that the police officer acted intentionally or recklessly to cause the emotional injury, or that the police officer acted so negligently that their actions caused emotional distress.
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Administration

  • Before a citizen can proceed with suing a police officer, they must first go through the appropriate administrative channels. Most states actually require this prior to filing a lawsuit. Administrative law governs the activities of governmental agencies, and could include reporting the incident to the police departments division of internal affairs or the Department of Justice.
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Issues

  • Victims may sue the individual police officers involved in their case, the supervisor of those officers involved, as well as the government that has employed and regulates them. Most commonly, in misconduct claims, it is the individual police officer themselves being sued. Governmental immunity plays a large role when suing the offending municipality.
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Significance

  • Because of how difficult the governmental immunity doctrine makes suing a municipality, suing a police officer supervisor is generally only feasible if they were directly involved with the incident in question. Typically, courts will not find a supervisor vicariously liable, or responsible for the actions of another person, such as a person they hired.
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Prognosis

  • The chances of success when suing a police officer depends greatly on the type of claim being made against the officer. Cases against abuse of power that have legal backing, such as civil forfeiture (or the legal confiscation of personal property without a warrant), are typically much more difficult to win.
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Effects

  • Property owners are at risk of losing their property without being convicted, or even charged with an offense, and the law is unfortunately stacked against those who have lost property to the police. Conversely, some see civil forfeiture as a tool utilized by the police to discourage organized crime involved in illegal drug trade, or other similar criminal organizations.
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Uses

  • Easier-to-prove lawsuits could include negligence, excessive force, or intent. For instance, if an officer fatally wounds an innocent bystander, but the officers body camera was not recording the incident, the question of intent would come into play. Wrongful death lawsuits, as well as homicide charges, are not uncommon as the law is less likely to protect police officers involved i…
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