Chicago Civil Rights Lawyer

Victims of Police Misconduct in Chicago

Police officers are vested with a significant amount of power and authority. Their uniforms and badges signify the right to investigate, detain and arrest citizens on suspicion of illegal activity, and to use physical violence when it appears appropriate. They carry weapons such as batons, pepper spray and firearms, and are sometimes equipped with defensive armor. The average citizen has only a single protection against such an overwhelming disparity force: civil rights. The United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights and other fundamental legal documents exist to guard citizens from the abuse of police authority, but they do nothing for the individual in a moment when a police officer decides to exercise cruelty or malice. If your rights have been violated, you may feel helpless, believing that there is nothing you can do to remedy the situation. Help is available. An experienced Chicago civil rights lawyer from Foutris Law Office, Ltd. can represent you in a civil lawsuit to recover a settlement. You may be entitled to monetary compensation for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages to hold the police officer accountable. If your claim does not succeed, you will not pay a fee.

Coerced Confessions
Police interrogators are sometimes so certain of the suspect's guilt that they will resort to extreme measures to force a confession which will lead to a conviction. There are also cases where there was no substantial evidence but the police simply wanted someone to pin the crime on. Many of the worst interrogation tactics amount to torture. Read more about coerced confessions...

Excessive Force
There are strict regulations governing a police officer's use of force upon a suspect, and one of the guiding principles has to do with how much force to employ. A police officer is permitted to use only so much force as is necessary to subdue the suspect. Beating or inflicting physical violence when the suspect is not resisting can lead to charges of assault and battery. Read more about excessive force...

Failure to Intervene
If you have been the victim of brutal or abusive police actions, you may not only have grounds to sue the police officer who committed the act, but also those who permitted it. The police are required to protect a citizen whose rights are being violated, and an officer who was present at the time and condoned the action or failed to intervene may be liable for damages. Read more about failure to intervene...

Malicious Prosecution
If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, followed by an exoneration or dismissal of the charges, you may be able to file a lawsuit on the basis that you were prosecuted without probable cause. It will be necessary to prove that the investigators did not factually believe that you were guilty of the crime, which may be possible using witness testimony and documentary evidence. Read more about malicious prosecution...

Police Brutality
When police officers assault, beat or torture a suspect, there is often little the victim can do to obtain justice. The officers will often claim that the suspect was resisting arrest or had initially attacked them. Taking legal action against a police officer who has brutalized you takes courage, but a successful lawsuit may not only secure damages for you, but also hold the police officer accountable for his actions. Read more about police brutality...

Police Misconduct
Police misconduct is a serious problem, especially when it is not merely an isolated incident but an institutionalized system of corruption and abuse. Many police officers follow an unwritten code of silence and implicitly condone the wrongdoing of their fellows. If you have suffered any type of abuse at the hands of the police, you deserve an advocate to help you defend your rights. Read more about police misconduct...

Police Shootings
Arming the police force with firearms is considered to be a necessary measure to provide for the public safety, but it also creates an extreme disparity of force between officers and citizens which is easily abused. If you or a loved one has suffered injury in an unlawful police shooting, you may be able to file a claim against the officer who fired the gun to recover damages. Read more about police shootings...

Taser Abuse
Many law enforcement agencies advertise their use of tasers as a less lethal alternative to clubs and guns, but like any other weapon they can be abused. The victim suffers involuntary spasms and loss of physical control, and is rendered helpless and incapable of self-protection. Tasers have become a common instrument of police abuse and torture, as they are usually non-lethal and do not typically break bones. Read more about taser abuse...

False Arrest
If a police officer arrested you without probable cause or a lawful arrest warrant, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit to recover monetary damages. The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution secures your legal protection against unlawful search and seizure, and an attorney from the firm can help you invoke this right. Read more about false arrest...

Unlawful Search & Seizure
The Fourth Amendment states that citizens are to be secure from unlawful search and seizure of their persons and property. This fundamental civil right guards you against being pulled over or detained by police officers unless they have probable cause to suspect that you have committed a crime, or if there is a warrant out for your arrest. Read more about unlawful search & seizure...

Wrongful Convictions
Any defendant in a criminal case is considered by law to be innocent until proven guilty, but countless innocent people have been wrongfully convicted of crimes and are now serving terms in jail or prison. Whether you have a loved one behind bars or if you personally want to redress your wrongs and clear your record of a past conviction, an attorney may be able to help you resolve the situation favorably. Read more about wrongful convictions...

Wrongful Death
When police make an unjustified use of lethal force or cause an accident through negligence, the victim's family members have a right to bring a wrongful death claim to seek a settlement. No amount of money can compensate you for your loss, but you can at least seek justice and secure damages against the officer who killed your loved one. Read more about wrongful death...

Your Rights to Compensation
Section 1983 and other laws provide for the rights of the injured to sue for compensation. If you suffered any type of abuse or violation of your civil rights at the hands of a police officer, you are entitled to hold the officer liable for damages. Working with an experienced attorney can greatly increase your chances of securing the compensation you deserve. Read more about your rights to compensation...

Due Process Violations
Both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution contain a sentence which refers to due process. No governmental authority has the power to deprive you of "life, liberty or property without the due process of law." If your right to due process was violated in any way, you may be able to remedy the situation by filing a civil lawsuit against the individual or agency that wronged you. Read more about due process violations...

Contact a Chicago civil rights attorney for support and dedicated representation when your rights have been violated and you want to secure compensation.