With US police killings are more common than ever, instances of genuine misconduct are also increasingly likely. In the case of police brutality, it can be difficult to navigate the complex legal minefield and get the justice you deserve. So, what can you do to ensure you surmount the uphill battle that you might face when coming up against the long arm of the law?
Having a police brutality lawyer on your side can help to even the odds. This article will help explain why, and what you can expect when you engage with one.
Why Is a Police Brutality Lawyer Essential?
While misconduct settlements do happen, police are often exempt from the justice other people face. Not only do juries tend to side with police officers, but many loopholes exist that allow them to avoid punishment for their crimes. As such, you need an expert who can offer specific help you would not get in normal cases.
Expertise in Police Misconduct Law
A specialized lawyer will have a deep level of knowledge when it comes to both state and federal law related to police brutality. They will also know about previous cases which can offer insight or precedents when it comes to your own situation.
In leveraging these, a police brutality case becomes easier to navigate and you have a higher likelihood of success. If necessary, they may even be able to talk to another excessive force lawyer or other professional on the topic for their expert advice.
Ensuring Your Voice Is Heard
The justice system is not always kind to a victim of police brutality, and neither is the wider world. A trained attorney can guide you in how to interact with the media, as well as what to say to the police in the future, to ensure your integrity.
A lawyer can also act as a representative when you are unable to act due to fear of retaliation. They have the authority to negotiate settlements that benefit you as the victim, or even to push for systemic change in local police culture.
Emotional and Legal Support
Being the victim of such a crime can cause long-term emotional harm, and a specialized lawyer should be able to offer a compassionate ear. The attorney can not only listen to you with an empathetic ear but also refer you to counseling services or therapy when necessary.
This will both guide you on your path to recovery and also help if you need to recollect specific events for more detail later. As a victim will often be asked to discuss the situation in a courtroom scene, this support is vital for your well-being.
Handling Different Forms of Police Brutality
A police brutality lawyer will not only be able to understand misconduct in general but will also drill into the details of your specific case. They can discuss the legal differences between the forms of brutality you may have faced and adapt legal strategies to fit. For example, your situation might relate to:
- Denial of medical care
- Excessive force
- Failure to intervene in another officer’s crime
- Malicious prosecution
- Racial or ethnic profiling
- Sexual misconduct or excessive use of strip-searching
- Verbal abuse
- Wrongful arrest
- Wrongful imprisonment
- Wrongful shooting or taser abuse
It is important to note, though, that even if an officer’s behavior falls into multiple of these categories, it is not always misconduct. Each of these categories may need a separate examination to work out which laws apply and what your steps should be to pursue a case.
Helping You Avoid Misconceptions of Police Misconduct
Before you dive deep into any case, it is important that you understand more about the intricacies of police misconduct. This way you can have a more realistic expectation of what the process of seeking justice will entail.
A lawyer can help debunk common myths you may believe to be true related to police behavior and your rights in a given situation. After you understand police misconduct laws, you can discuss your case with a shared understanding of your footing. This will also help you avoid making statements or decisions based on such myths, which could harm you as you pursue the case.
If the case gets to court, a police brutality lawyer can also ensure that any jury understands the full extent of any crime. This will stop you from making decisions based on misconceptions you may have picked up from popular media.
Helping You Overcome Ongoing Challenges
It is in a lawyer’s best interest, not to mention ethical, to ensure their client receives appropriate protection as they pursue the case. With their wide array of resources as a police brutality attorney, such a professional can offer you a higher level of justice.
Responding to Retaliation and Intimidation
After raising a case against a local police force, you may face continued victimization. A police brutality attorney will offer suggestions on how to maintain your safety moving forward. If necessary, a lawyer can even seek a restraining order or other legal protections if the issue escalates.
Navigating Complex Justice Bureaucracy
A specialized lawyer can offer greater understanding when it comes to difficult legal processes. They will have the knowledge necessary to ensure you submit all the right paperwork or filings ahead of time. They can also offer you guidance and enough information to make informed decisions about how you want to move forward.
In some cases, a lawyer may also have long-standing professional relationships with others in the local justice system. This is likely to help should they need to expedite a process or talk to judges or lawyers from their area.
The Perfect Lawyer for a Difficult Situation
Seeking justice in a police brutality case may be a difficult journey, but succeeding means you right several wrongs. You safeguard a community from dangerous individuals and ensure you can feel safer moving around. Still, it can be tough, and you do not need to do it alone