Examples Of Michigan Police Misconduct Jury Verdicts & Settlements
- $36,630,000 jury verdict for a Genesee County Jail inmate who was severely beaten by deputies after a DWI arrest.
- $6,800,000 jury verdict for a man shot to death by a Marine City police officer.
- $3,000,000 wrongful death settlement for a police shooting incident in Kalamazoo County.
- $1,100,000 settlement for a woman who sued Kalamazoo County deputies for excessive force that caused physical injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- $725,000 settlement for a mentally ill man shot to death by Saginaw police.
Reasons For Suing The Police
Under federal law, police officers may be sued both personally and professionally . A civilian may file a lawsuit against a police officer for various reasons, including:
- Infliction of emotional distress: When an officer purposely or recklessly behaves in a way that causes either emotional injury or distress through a negligent act.
- Excessive force: When an officer uses deadly force in a situation that does not justify it.
In civil suits such as these, the burden of proof typically falls on the plaintiff, who must prove liability by a preponderance of the evidence . This is a significantly lower standard than the one for criminal cases .
There are two types of claims one can file against a police officer in a personal capacity:
: the plaintiff must demonstrate that the officer either a) knew that a fellow policeman was violating the plaintiffs constitutional rights b) had a reasonable chance to prevent the harm or c) decided not to act.
Supervisor Liability: This liability requires that a supervisor had knowledge that a subordinate officer displayed conduct that posed an unreasonable risk of constitutional injury to citizens.
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When Can The Police Shoot Someone
Officers are trained to only fire their guns as a last resort. They must reasonably believe their lives or the lives of others are in danger to justify firing their weapon. This is known as the defense of life standard.
Police shootings involve both armed and unarmed people. Many of these victims present no immediate harm or danger to the officer. Some are shot while in a car, with their back turned, and even running away from the officer.
Quite often, the reasons used to shoot someone are not justified by the circumstances. When this happens, the victim can file a police shooting lawsuit. In the event of a fatal police shooting, the surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
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What Is Considered Police Brutality
Police brutality is a form of police misconduct. It is the use of excessive physical force by a police officer or other law enforcement officials. It is essentially the use of force beyond what is reasonably necessary to arrest, apprehend, or question a suspect or any other person.
Police abuse is similar to assault and battery by a private individual. Police do not have the authority to unreasonably injure people simply because they have a badge and a uniform. In fact, they are trained to restrain from abuse whenever possible.
Your Claims Against A Police Officer’s Supervisor
In some jurisdictions, you may have a claim against the police officer’s supervisor for their subordinate’s use of excessive force. This is called âsupervisory liability.” Although the Supreme Court has suggested that supervisory liability may not exist under section 1983, most lower courts still recognize at least some narrow form of the theory. But they differ widely in their views . You will need an experienced civil rights lawyer to help you if you choose to sue a police officer’s supervisor.
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What To Do If You Plan To Sue Law Enforcement In Utah
If you were a victim of police misconduct, there are certain actions you should take if you want to file a lawsuit against the police. First, you should gather as much evidence about the misconduct as you can find. If anyone witnessed the misconduct and is willing to help you, you should document their name, phone number, and any other relevant contact information. If the witness is willing to make a written statement and have it notarized, this will also help you.
If you have a recording of the interactions with law enforcement, this can also help you prove your case. Recording law enforcement in Utah is legal.
If you were injured in an encounter with law enforcement, you should seek medical attention immediately. Inform the hospital staff of how you received your injuries so that they can help you document your injuries. You should also take photographs of any injuries or any damage to your property that occurred during the encounter.
Additionally, there should be an incident report stemming from your encounter with law enforcement. You are entitled to request this report, and it should be a simple transaction. However, if the incident involved other people, it may take longer to recover the report due to privacy concerns. You should also file an open records request. This request will give you all public documents pertaining to your encounter with law enforcement.
Can You Sue The Salt Lake City Police Department
Police misconduct is becoming a hot topic in Utah and across the nation. Police misconduct can take many forms and can result in an innocent individual becoming a victim of unwarranted violence and rights violations. Victims of misconduct have the right to sue the police department to protect their civil rights. If you or a family member was a victim of police misconduct, you should speak with an experienced Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyer. Criminal attorney and civil rights lawyer Darwin Overson has over 16 years of experience that he will use to help you fight your claim. Overson Law is here to explain how you can sue the Salt Lake City police department.
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Where Can I Make A Complaint About Police Conduct
You may wish to speak to a lawyer before making a complaint as your complaint may impact any claim you bring.
You can make a complaint to:
- The Station Commander or the Police Conduct Unit of Victoria Police. The Police Conduct Unit is a division of the Victoria Police which investigates the conduct of Victoria Police officers.
- The Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission is an independent body which is separate from Victoria Police. IBAC may refer the complaint to Victoria Police if the complaint does not meet its strict requirements.
- Complaints about the Australian Federal Police should be made to the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against or that your human rights have been breached, you may also wish to complain to either the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission or the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Unjustified Use Of Stun Guns
Stun guns are dangerous weapons and should only be used in urgent circumstances. A police officer should only use a stun gun to stop a confrontation. They are designed to incapacitate an attacker at a distance. They are preferred over the use of a firearm, but still pose a risk of serious injury or death.
A recent Reuters investigation identified 1,081 deaths involving the use of stun guns. In many of those instances, the use of a stun gun was not warranted under the circumstance. In several hundred instances, the family of the victim sued the government for the stun gun death and received a settlement payout.
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Speak To The Police Protective Liability Insurance Experts
Reach out to the experts at John M. Glover Insurance Agency for more information on personally suing police officers. Since our founding in 1916, we have been dedicated to serving the insurance needs of clients throughout Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Hawaii. As an independent agency, we work closely with several insurers that have proven their stability and reliability over the years.
At JMG, we understand that enforcing the law and protecting the public is risky. Therefore, we provide police officers and other law enforcement officials with protective liability insurance. This type of policy covers damages resulting from property damage, bodily injury, or personal injury arising from a wrongful act. In the event a lawsuit is brought against an officer, this policy will also help cover the associated legal fees. We offer policies providing $100,000 and $250,000 in coverage.
Civil Rights Act Section 1983
When an individual has been the victim of a violation of their civil rights, they may be able to file a lawsuit against the police under the Civil Rights Act of 1871. This is done primarily under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which is generally referred to as a Section 1983 claim. A Section 1983 claim is a civil suit by a member of the public against the police department or government agency that violated the individuals rights. Generally, a successful Section 1983 claim requires the deprivation of an individuals civil rights, by a government official, acting under the supposed power of the law.
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Get A Top Michigan Police Misconduct Lawyer
Our attorneys are the top-rated police misconduct attorneys in Michigan.
- The Best Lawyers in America
- National Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Best Law Firm by U.S. News & World Reports
- 10 Best Michigan Personal Injury Law Firms
- Super Lawyers
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
We have earned these awards for our achievements on behalf of our clients since 1969.
We will put the same hard work into your case that we have done for injury victims for the past 50 years.
How To Sue The Saps
The police and the countrys security services are there to protect us. For the most part, they do a commendable job, despite the many challenges they face.
However, members of the South African Police Service sometimes act wrongly. This can have devastating consequences for those who get caught up police-related incidents.
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Can I Sue The Police For False Charges
Not a day goes by without coming across a story of an exonerated death row inmate or an overturned conviction. But, what you hardly hear about is whether or not they were compensated for being wrongfully convicted.
While it is illegal for a police officer to deprive you of your constitutional rights, a lawsuit against them for false charges would have to prove that they didnt have probable cause to believe that you had committed or were in the process of committing a crime at the time the arrest took place.
Alternatively, you would have to prove that you had a legal right to engage in the activity that prompted the arrest. Consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney will help steer the process.
Who Specifically Can I Sue
Individual police officers, supervisors, and police departments themselves can be named in a lawsuit alleging police misconduct. The government that employs and oversees the department can also be sued, however governmental immunity offers protection to municipalities subjected to police misconduct lawsuits.
Governmental immunity is a policy that protects governments and government agencies from lawsuits in many cases. The intent behind governmental immunity is to make it easier for governments to make decisions and take action without the fear of being sued for their conduct.
A common question someone who has been arrested for a crime they did not commit is, can you sue the county for false charges? You may attempt to sue the county if you think false charges have been filed against you however governmental immunity will make it difficult to succeed.
Police officers have some immunity known as qualified immunity. Qualified immunity means that police officers are protected from being sued as long as they are acting within the guidelines of their job and not acting negligently or unreasonably. Like governmental immunity, qualified immunity gives police officers room to do their job without the fear of lawsuits interfering.
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How Much Timedo You Have To Sue The Nypd
If you suffer any injuries at the hands of the NYPD, the most important action you should take is to retain a civil rights attorney from our firm. We can review your case and file the required Notice of Claim with the City Comptroller to preserve your right to sue. If you fail to file that Notice within 90 days, your lawsuit will probably be dismissed. After filing the above-mentioned Notice, you must then file your state court lawsuit within one year and 90 days.
Ina limited number of situations, a person who suffers injuries in an encounterwith the NYPD might be able to file a civil rights lawsuit in federal court. Thatfederal lawsuit will be subject to different time limits and restrictions.
What Is Time Limit To Sue For Police Misconduct
The time deadline to file a lawsuit is referred to as the statute of limitations.
Under federal laws, there is no time period specified under the law. Rather, the law requires courts to follow the state laws that specify these deadlines.
In Michigan, there is a three-year statute of limitations for actions involving negligence. This time limit includes cases for police misconduct and abuse.
It is smart to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after the incident to begin your investigation.
If you wait too long, it becomes more difficult to gather the necessary evidence and locate witnesses.
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How Do I File A Police Misconduct Lawsuit
Lawsuits for police abuse include claims for violations of both federal and state laws. Many suits are filed in federal courts due to constitutional violations and civil rights violations. These include federal violations of:
- 42 U.S.C. § 1983 which states that peace officers who subject any U.S. resident to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws may be held civilly liable for those injuries.
- Fourth Amendment prohibiting excessive and unreasonable force as well as the denial of necessary medical care when the need for treatment was known.
State and local municipality claims are made for assault and battery, substandard training, and inadequate policies. Many state allegations are similar to the federal violations but are based upon Michigan laws and statutes.
To successfully prove a police misconduct civil lawsuit, the evidence must establish that the force used exceeded the level necessary for the purpose it was used.
This standard can be established by the use of an expert witness, who is typically a former chief law enforcement officer. Ultimately, it is up to a jury to decide if the officer and department should be liable for the allegations of misconduct.
No Threats To Arrest Everyone
Officersmay also be prohibited by state law from taking certain actions wheninvestigating domestic violence allegations. Alabama law, for example,forbids an officer from threatening to arrest everyone involved in adomestic violence complaint for the purpose of discouraging the victimfrom asking for police assistance. The statute also prohibits an officerfrom basing the decision to arrest on the victims permission orrequest, nor can the arrest decision be based on a victims or witnessswillingness to testify in court. Other stateshave similar statutes that prohibit officers from taking actions thatmight hinder or block an appropriate investigation and prosecution ofdomestic violence offenses.
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Excessive Force Or Assault Including The Use Of Taser Guns
Police have been allowed to carry Taser guns since 2003. A huge amount of responsibility comes with carrying weapons. The Police must use the correct procedure when using them and only use them when absolutely necessary.
When faced with a serious threat of violence, the Police are allowed to use their Tasers if they consider it to be reasonable and proportionate to the threat that they face. However, we have to place a lot of trust in their judgement of what is deemed a serious threat and how much force is reasonable.
It can be a frightening experience getting arrested or being restrained, but if a weapon is used, it can be terrifying, particularly if the weapon is being used inappropriately or without just cause. During peaceful protests, there have been many reports of people being injured by the use of a Taser on them, even when they have already been arrested and put in handcuffs.
If you or a loved one have been a victim of Taser misuse which has resulted in an injury, we have highly experienced personal injury solicitors that specialise in police negligence claims and can help you to get the police negligence compensation you deserve.
Tasers can have both physical and psychological effects that often are very serious, such as :
- Heart attack particularly if someone already has an existing heart condition.
- Emotional trauma.
- Respiratory problems.
Can I Sue The Police Department
The police department may also be liable in a police misconduct case. Usually, the city, county, or other agency operating the department is named in the lawsuit.
If an officer is on duty at the time, the police department is also liable. For off-duty officers, the employer may still be liable depending on the circumstances.
In addition to the legal claims for the assault itself, there are several theories of negligence that can be asserted against the department. These include the:
- Negligent hiring of the officer, such as hiring a person unfit for the job or with a history of previous similar incidents with a different department.
- Improper training of a police officer before starting with the department and during employment. Ongoing training is required for proper safety procedures.
- Failing to properly supervise an officer, especially one that has a history of questionable assault behavior and bad conduct.
- Negligent retention of an officer, meaning keeping a bad actor employed by the department despite previous incidents of misconduct and dangerous acts.
Our attorneys will fully investigate all aspects of your case to determine if the department can be held liable for damages.
We pursue all legal avenues to get you the best possible monetary settlement in your case.
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