Have You Been Falsely Arrested?

Chicago Civil Rights Lawyer for False Arrest Cases

Police officers and other law enforcement officials are entrusted with tremendous power and authority to keep the peace and protect citizens from harm. When an individual officer abuses this power to arrest or detain a citizen for something the arrestee did not do, the victim has a right to seek redress for a civil rights violation.

Bill Foutris, the law firm’s founder, has spent decades litigating false arrest lawsuits in Chicago and across northern and central Illinois, as well as in northern Indiana. He knows the tactics law enforcement officers use to justify unlawful arrests, as well as how to investigate for evidence that they have broken the law. Contact the firm today to receive a consultation and for dedicated advocacy for your rights to compensation.

A police officer that deprives a citizen of his or her civil rights by framing the citizen can be liable for monetary damages under Section 1983 of the United States Code. Also, the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution guarantees the right against unlawful search & seizure, and if you have been detained or arrested without probable cause you may be able to obtain compensation. For instance, many people have had guns or drugs planted on them by police officers. If a police officer put a gun or drugs on you that belonged to somebody else, you may be able to obtain compensation for the violation of your rights.

Get in Touch with a Civil Rights Attorney in Chicago

Making a complaint to the police department can be a waste of time since the police typically protect the police. If you want justice for your false arrest, you should retain an experienced Chicago civil rights lawyer to represent you. In addition, your arrest might also have resulted in a due process violation, which can also be an independent claim for compensation. Also, a false arrest often leads to malicious prosecution, a complicated claim that you should hire a lawyer at Foutris Law Office, Ltd. to file for you. When it comes to a false arrest lawsuit, you may not only have a claim against the officer who arrested you, but also against any other police officer whose failure to intervene is equally reprehensible. An attorney from the firm can help you defend your rights against police misconduct.

Chicago False Arrest Claims: Local Know-How for CPD Stops, Detentions, and Booking

In Chicago, an unlawful arrest can disrupt your life in a matter of minutes—often beginning with a routine street stop that escalates quickly. We speak with people who were taken into custody after traffic stops on the Dan Ryan, Kennedy, or Lake Shore Drive, questioned near CTA stations, or detained in high-traffic areas like the Loop or River North. What starts as brief questioning can lead to handcuffs, transport to a district station, fingerprinting, and hours—or overnight—inside a lockup. Beyond the immediate shock, there’s missed work, family stress, and concern about how an arrest record may affect employment or professional licensing.

Local procedure plays a major role in how these cases unfold. In Chicago, arrests typically move through Cook County’s system, including bond court proceedings and, in some cases, detention at Cook County Jail. At the same time, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) controls critical evidence such as arrest reports, body-worn camera footage, and officer narratives. In a civil rights case, small inconsistencies in those records—or the absence of clear probable cause—can significantly impact how a claim proceeds under federal law.

Many people feel overwhelmed trying to challenge the same system that arrested them. Oversight bodies and public record processes exist, but navigating them while dealing with pending charges or court dates can be daunting.

Common false arrest concerns in Chicago include arrests without probable cause, disputed search circumstances, pressure to accept quick plea deals, and lasting harm from mugshots or background checks. Foutris Law Office, Ltd. represents clients in Chicago, across northern and central Illinois, and in northern Indiana, including Gary, helping them understand their rights and next legal steps.

Contact a Chicago civil rights lawyer to learn more about the compensation you may be entitled to receive after being the victim of false arrest.