Police and sheriffs
When an officer goes past the law
Officers and deputies have wide authority and a short list of things they may not do. We represent people who were hurt, stopped, searched, arrested or held in violation of that list.
The first job is the record: incident reports, body and dash camera video, dispatch logs, the booking file. We ask for them early and in writing, and we watch the video before we read the report.
Most of these claims are brought in federal court, against the officer, the department or the county. They are slow and they are hard. We tell you what we think of yours before you decide anything.
What we take, and what we pass on
Force beyond the moment
A stop or an arrest that turned violent without need, or force that continued after a person was restrained.
Stops, searches and arrests without cause
Detentions with no lawful reason, searches with no warrant or consent, and arrests that the facts do not support.
Retaliation
Punishment for filming an officer, filing a complaint or asking for a badge number.
The criminal charge itself
We do not handle criminal defense. We work alongside your defense lawyer and send the criminal case to those who do it every day.
What to know before you call
Should I file a complaint with the department first?
It can help, and it can also create statements the other side uses. Talk to us before you sign anything or give a recorded interview.
I was charged too. Can you still help?
Often, yes. We coordinate with your defense lawyer and bring the civil claim at the right moment, which is not always right away.
How long do I have to act?
Deadlines for claims against a city or county can be far shorter than for an ordinary lawsuit, sometimes a few months for a written notice. Call early, and do not wait to see how the criminal case ends.
Tell us what the officer did.
Dates, places, badge numbers, video. Whatever you have is enough to begin.