Police Misconduct
Some officers and prosecutors violate civil rights and the law
Many police officers, corrections officers, prison guards, deputies and other law enforcement officials serve our communities admirably. Many of them don’t. They abuse their authority; they physically or emotionally abuse the very people they are sworn to protect. Their actions violate the civil rights and constitutional rights of the victim. Police brutality and law enforcement misconduct includes:
- Beatings
- Excessive force
- Harassment and intimidation
- Sexual abuse
- Firearm injuries
- False imprisonment
- False arrest
- Unlawful detention
- Unconstitutional accommodations
- Negligence to medical needs
- False charges
Unlawful Detention/Unlawful Confinement
Criminals, not innocent citizens should be arrested, detained and put behind bars. When overzealous police officers and law enforcement officials wrongly detain or confine citizens, Bader & Yakaitis, LLP fights to make them pay.
Humiliation
Police officers have a great deal of power and sometimes it goes to their heads. Through demeaning words and actions designed to embarrass, law enforcement officials misuse their power to make ordinary citizens feel small and helpless. The law entitles victims of this common form of police brutality to compensation.
Brutality/Physical/Mental abuse
Getting arrested is an unpleasant experience. But, some officers make the experience even worse by physically or mentally abusing those they have in custody. Our firm fights for the victim of physical or mental abuse by police officers.
Excessive Force
Police officers are trained to apprehend criminals. Unfortunately, many officers go beyond what is reasonable and hurt or even kill civilians–through excessive physical force, gunfire, batons or other weapons. If you have been a victim of excessive force, contact us today.
Civil Rights Abuse by Police or Officials
When a citizen is mistreated by police or public officials, state and federal laws allow the citizen to sue for money or court injunctions ordering the officials to stop violating one’s rights. Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act allows victims to sue public officials for violations of their civil rights and receive money from the city or those municipality responsible for the misconduct. We can help.
Recently, our partner Paul Yakaitis negotiated a $3 million post-trial settlement in favor of a client whom a police officer had shot during a criminal investigation. Paul also successfully won a $950,000 verdict in the case of a 27-year-old woman who NYPD officers wrongfully arrested. Having merely sounded her horn, our client was approached by officers who would later claim our client had refused their request for identification. During the wrongful arrest, our client sustained a neck injury and was detained at the precinct for a lengthy period.
If you or a loved one have been victimized or suffered at the hands of a law enforcement officer, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced, knowledgeable attorneys at Bader & Yakaitis, LLP will dedicate the resources, time, and energy necessary to protect your civil rights and constitutional rights. Contact us for a confidential assessment of the legal options available to you.
