Ontario Police Brutality Lawyer
Defending Ontario Citizens Against Abuse of Force
The majority of law enforcement officers do the job in a dedicated and honorable way. We can all imagine how stressful, difficult and life-threatening the job of protecting the public is. However, police officers are also required to exercise a great deal of control over the people they interact with. This power opens up the possibility of an abuse of power since the general public is at their mercy.
We all know that police occasionally need to use force to uphold the law and protect themselves and innocent bystanders, but that does not mean that they have unrestricted power to exercise unwarranted and extreme force. In the United States, citizens are protected against such excessive police misconduct under both the 4th and 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Use of excessive force and other misconduct by law enforcement seems to be on the rise. The personal injury lawyers at The Duque Law Firm have years of experience helping the innocent victims of police brutality pursue justice and compensation.
Examples of Police Brutality/Misconduct
Police misconduct, such as abuse of their power, unreasonable use of excessive force, and entering a home without a legal search warrant, violates the rights of individuals and exposes their department to lawsuits. Police officers are expected to follow the law and police department procedures to protect citizens and uphold constitutional rights.
Most of us are familiar with the upsetting recordings that catch what we usually think of as “police brutality”. However, our police brutality lawyers understand that police misconduct has many different forms, including:
- False arrests or unlawful stops
- Racial profiling
- Unnecessary use of physical force
- Unnecessary and degrading strip searches
- Searches without a warrant
- Coercion, blackmail or other uses of police power to force you into doing something you do not want to do
- Police harassment
- Inappropriate taser use
- Shootings and wrongful death
- Sexual assault or sexual misconduct with inmates
- Prison/jail injuries or deaths
What Should I Do If I Was the Victim of Police Misconduct?
Police officers hold a certain level of authority over the general public and serious injury due to their misconduct can create lifelong affects for the victim. It is for this reason that litigating a case of excessive force or misconduct can be an extremely difficult task.
Your first priority should always be protecting yourself and it is essential to comply with the officer’s requests as best as possible in a non-aggressive manner. While this is not always a deterrent for police brutality, it can significantly reduce your risk of injury or death. Once the incident is over, it is important to seek immediate medical attention if necessary and contact an experienced and knowledgeable civil rights attorney right away.
Seeking Compensation for Police Misconduct
Filing a civil suit against your local police department is not a simple pursuit, but a good attorney can make all the difference. When an officer crosses the line and uses excessive force or denies you of your constitutional rights, he/she must face consequences. There are multiple types of damages awarded in these kinds of cases, depending on the severity of the misconduct or injuries sustained.
Compensatory damages: These include damages such as lost wages (current and future), medical bills, funeral expenses in wrongful death cases, and general pain and suffering.
Punitive Damages: These damages are meant to punish the police officer for a particularly flagrant misconduct, although most municipalities are exempt.
Civil Rights Damages: If your civil rights were violated by a police officers you can seek appropriate damages for this violation.
Speak with an Experienced Ontario Civil Rights Attorney
If you feel that your civil rights have been violated and you would like to seek legal action, we are here to assist you. Our Ontario civil rights lawyers bring forth cases seeking justice and compensation for any injuries which victims have suffered.
Regardless of creed, color or circumstance, if the situation involved unwarranted physical force or psychological intimidation, our attorneys are here to offer our advocacy.
Contact our San Bernardino County Personal Injury Attorney at 1-877-241-9554 to learn more about your legal options. A free consultation is just a phone call away. You can even use our online contact form, and we’ll reply to you quickly.
