Police misconduct is a sadly common occurrence, with around 250,000 people across the United States suffering injuries every year as a result of an encounter with law enforcement. Victims of police misconduct can suffer major violations to their civil rights, as well as significant bodily harm. But what exactly is police misconduct, and what does it look like in the day-to-day context?
What is Police Misconduct?
Police misconduct is a broad term that refers to any act by a police officer that violates a person’s civil or constitutional rights. This can range from relatively minor violations of standard police procedure, to potentially lethal acts of violence. The most grievous forms of police misconduct are known as “police brutality,” where police use excessive force against criminal suspects in cases where it is not warranted.
What Does Police Misconduct Look Like?
Police misconduct is not always immediately obvious, but there are potential signs you should watch out for. These include, but are not limited to:
- Forcing a traffic stop without a stated traffic violation
- Conducting a search without a warrant or stated probable cause
- Conducting a search or seizure based on racial profiling
- Intimidating or coaching witnesses
- Fabricating or tampering with evidence
- Using excessive force against suspects
- Attacking witnesses who record or testify against unlawful police activity
- Attacking or torturing suspects in custody
- Denying suspects access to food, water or medicine
What Are the Consequences of Police Misconduct?
When the police engage in unlawful or unconstitutional behavior, the consequences can be dire. People can be unjustly arrested or prosecuted, and forced to suffer through extended legal proceedings that could have been avoided if the police acted properly. Moreover, when police descend into brutality, they can cause potentially severe injuries that can result in long-term disability or even death.
What Should You Do?
If you or someone you love has been the victim of police misconduct, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling civil rights matters. They can review your case and help you protect your rights, ensuring you get the justice you deserve. The sooner you call, the sooner we can begin working on your case.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We specialize in assisting clients who have been injured due to exposure to environmental toxins, including veterans and their loved ones. If you need legal assistance due to toxic exposure or other related matters, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.