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Brooklyn Police Brutality and Misconduct Lawyer
Brooklyn takes pride in its community. That’s why it’s devastating when a member of that community suffers — especially when a public servant is the cause.
In an ideal world, all police officers would abide by their oath to serve and protect the citizens of Brooklyn. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.
Officers who use excessive force or practice unlawful conduct should be held accountable.
If you or someone you love have been the victim of a police brutality incident, contact a Brooklyn police brutality lawyer today. Don’t worry about searching any further for the right police misconduct lawyer in Brooklyn — Ross & Hill is here to help.
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How Our Police Brutality Lawyers Help After an Incident in Brooklyn
When enforcers of the law start to believe they’re above it, it is a serious issue. As a citizen of Brooklyn, you should feel safe walking down the street or going about your day without fearing for your safety.
Many people fear the police. Officers who commit brutality or misconduct are rarely held accountable for it. The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) reported that of the 180,700 complaints of police brutality investigated since 2000, only 4,283 of those cases resulted in discipline from the NYPD.
These numbers are discouraging. However, if you’re a victim of police brutality, staying silent is not the answer. Taking legal action by contacting a Brooklyn police brutality lawyer who can help you seek compensation for your losses is the first step in a more hopeful direction.
What Compensation Is Available for Victims of Police Brutality in Brooklyn?
As a police brutality victim in Brooklyn, you have likely experienced some emotional or physical trauma. Law enforcement officers may not always face discipline for misconduct, but you can seek justice by filing a claim.
On average, New York City pays $500-$600 million to settle cases of personal injuries falling under the city’s responsibility. A percentage of that compensation could be yours if you file a claim against the city for your police brutality incident.
In a police brutality settlement, you may seek compensation for the following:
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Psychological distress
- Medical expenses
To seek compensation for your police brutality incident, contact a police brutality lawyer or law firm. Fair compensation could help you heal from this traumatic event. Whether you’re a resident of Brooklyn or just a visitor, you deserve to resume your daily routine without fear of retaliation from the police.
What To Do After a Police Brutality Incident in Brooklyn
Directly after a police brutality incident, you may experience anxiety, panic, or confusion. These are all normal reactions — through an abuse of power, the officer violated your constitutional rights. You have the right to retaliate with legal action.
Gather Evidence
An important part of a police misconduct investigation is documentation. Without it, it’s your word against theirs.
Having a video or photograph of the incident makes a monumental difference. If there are witnesses to the incident, it’s wise to collect a written or recorded statement from them. The more evidence, the better.
You will likely need to recall the specifics of the police brutality incident when making your claim. Remember to write down the date, time, and location of the incident.
If the incident results in a physical injury, seek medical attention immediately, and collect any medical reports and bills as evidence.
Take Action
While you can use this evidence to file a complaint to the Civilian Complaint Review Board, the New York City Liberties Union (NYCLU) has reported that the CCRB rarely investigates these issues with due seriousness, making it all the more important to seek proper legal representation.
Contact a police brutality lawyer to pursue compensation from the city. At Ross & Hill, we’ll help you navigate the process and fight for fair compensation.
How Common Are Police Brutality Incidents in Brooklyn?
According to the Cato Institute, one in five Americans knows someone who has been physically mistreated by the police. The Washington Post also reported that police shoot and kill 1,000 Americans a year.
Because the New York City Police Department (NYPD) is the largest in the country, with more than 36,000 officers, there is bound to be misconduct within the department. The NYPD regularly patrols Brooklyn, putting any Brooklyn resident or visitor at the potential risk of a police brutality incident.
This risk increases when a resident or visitor is a person of color, as over 50% of the Brooklyn population is, because of racial profiling. Citizens protested this issue across the nation in 2020, leading to an even higher incidence of police misconduct.
Just because this issue is common doesn’t mean it should be overlooked or brushed under the rug. If you’ve been a victim of police brutality of any kind, contact a police brutality lawyer immediately.
Common Police Brutality Incidents in Brooklyn
There is a long list of common police brutality incidents that take place in Brooklyn. These range from verbal abuse to physical mistreatment and even murder. Regardless of the severity of your incident, contact a police brutality lawyer to discuss your options.
Common instances of police brutality include:
- Verbal attacks
- Racial profiling
- Excessive force
- Sexual assault
- Planting evidence
- Misuse of tasers
- Unwarranted shooting
Brooklyn Police Brutality Resources at Ross & Hill Personal Injury Lawyers
The reality of police misconduct is discouraging, but that doesn’t mean there’s no hope. A Brooklyn police brutality lawyer can help. If you or someone you love are a victim of police brutality in Brooklyn, contact Ross & Hill immediately. Call 718-855-2324 or 646-351-6222 to schedule a free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is stereotyping a type of police misconduct?
Yes, stereotyping is a type of police misconduct. Police officers should not be harassing or accusing citizens based on gender, religion, race, sexual orientation, or disability.
Is police brutality a violation of the Constitution?
Yes, police brutality is a violation of the Constitution under the Civil Rights Act of 1871, which protects citizens from deprivation of their constitutional rights.
Police Misconduct Attorneys
in New York City
Police Misconduct Lawyers
In every major city in the world there are thousands of police officers, dedicated to bringing justice to the victims of crimes. New York City is no different in that most police officers are men and women there to do the job they set out to do. Unfortunately, there are some police officers who abuse their power and position of authority to take advantage of the citizens they are charged with serving and protecting. When a police officer goes outside of the law and betrays the public trust, there is often little that anyone can do about it. The police have a saying about “The Thin Blue Line” which dictates that all police officers should look out for one another no matter what they do wrong.
Overzealous and violent actions by police officers are all too common throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Ross & Hill has observed a notable increase in inquiries to our firm about potential false arrest and police brutality lawsuits in recent years and we take every call seriously.
When a police officer has been accused of misconduct by a citizen there is often little recourse or path that the citizen can take. They can file a complaint with the police department, but even with community review boards and political oversight, police officers are given a lot of leeway to act as they see fit. When the systems in place cannot bring justice for an individual that has been wronged by the police fails, that is where Ross & Hill comes in to make things right.
There are many types of police misconduct cases including:
• Police brutality, including improper searches and use of excessive force
• False arrest, wrongful conviction, false or improper imprisonment
• Enforced forfeiture of your property when you are not charged with a criminal violation
• Harassment or aggressive and excessive interrogations by police officers leading to or following arrest
• Denial or limitation of your right to legal representation
• Impairment of due process in criminal proceedings
• Invasion of privacy, including forced entry into your home by law enforcement officials
Some examples of police brutality and excessive force include:
• unnecessary and excessively tight handcuffing
• Use of an elctrice tazer when unnecessary
• choke holds
• unprovoked shootings
If you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of police brutality or misconduct, call Ross & Hill now.
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What Steps Can You Take if You are the Victim of Police Misconduct
If you are the victim of police misconduct it can be a life changing event and it is hard to know what to do since the police have positions of authority and trust in the community. Most people who feel they are victims may not be aware of what constitutes police brutality or police misconduct in the first place. Many individuals who are victims may think that police officers have carte blanche to enforce their authority any way they want to. This however is not the case and there are steps you can take to bring corrupt law enforcement officers to justice and in some cases recoup financial compensation for your ordeal. You will need a seasoned police misconduct attorney like those at Ross & Hill to help you prosecute your claim against the police department and the city. These are some steps you can take after you call Ross & Hill.
In New York City, there is the Civilian Complaint Review Board where you can report police misconduct. While this is a invaluable public service, it is important to note that the Boards mandate is to only investigate police misconduct, they do not have the power to punish police officers in any way. The Board’s investigative staff is composed entirely of civilian employees and conducts investigations in an impartial fashion. This review board is an independent agency that is empowered to receive, investigate, prosecute, mediate, hear, make findings, and recommend action upon complaints filed against members of the New York City Police Department.
The Review Board Investigates Four Types of Police Complaints:
• Complaints of unnecessary or excessive use of force, including chokeholds, tasering, pepper spray, and any type of deadly force.
• Abuse of authority, which is using the power of the office to intimidate or otherwise mistreat a civilian. This encompasses unlawful search and seizure, improper questioning or frisking without cause, improper strip searches, vehicle stops without probable cause, and more.
• Discourtesy
• Using obscene or offensive language
It is important to repeat that while the Civilian Review Board does investigate claims of police misconduct, THEY DO NOT DISCIPLINE OFFICERS IN ANY WAY. When the Board substantiates a complaint, they refer the case, with a disciplinary recommendation, to the police commissioner. Only the police commissioner has the authority to decide the level of discipline and impose punishment on an officer.
If you want justice and compensation for yourself after you are the victim of police misconduct, you must contact veteran and experienced police misconduct attorneys like the attorneys at Ross & Hill. Our police misconduct attorneys for New York City have been defending citizens’ civil rights and fighting against the abuse of authority for more than 40 years. We know when alleged police misconduct is worth investigating and what it takes to build a winning case for settlement or trial. In some cases, we have earned recoveries in hundreds of thousands for our clients. When you call our offices, conveniently located in Brooklyn and Manhattan, the attorney you speak with can advise you on the best steps to take next. All conversations are confidential and you should call right now.
Ross & Hill: Bringing Justice for Victims of Police Brutality
It takes courage to report police misconduct. At Ross & Hill, we want to reward your trust in us if you have a viable case. We take every inquiry seriously and can tell you if you have a case against the city for your pain and suffering.
When we take your case, our actions on your behalf may include:
• We conduct our own investigation to pinpoint the identities and expose the work histories of those who wrongfully arrested you, injured you or otherwise violated your civil rights
• Gathering evidence and testimony to support your claims
• Valuing your case in view of all damages that may be recoverable, including money for emotional distress as well as physical and financial harm
If you or a family member has been the victim of police brutality then you should call the law offices of Ross & Hill now for a free consultation. We will listen to your story and let you know if you have a case. Call Now.
