Protecting Your Rights If You are a Victim of Police Brutality 

Any form of police misconduct, including police brutality, is not acceptable. However, victims usually choose to keep silent because of fear of retaliation. Although it can be difficult to take on law enforcement, an experienced Las Vegas Civil Rights Attorney can increase your chances of getting compensation for the injustices you experienced. 

Examples of Police Brutality

In the United States justice system, any person is considered innocent until proven guilty. But, the police sometimes don’t understand this and a lot of officers physically abuse suspects. There have been a lot of instances when police officers were involved in assaults, beatings, and even torture. Unfortunately, physical abuse can result in serious injuries such as traumatic brain injury, paralysis, and more. In turn, victims of police brutality who sustain these injuries will have to deal with huge medical bills, missed work, and other consequences. 

Moreover, some law enforcement officers use excessive force when subduing a suspect. Although they may need to apply a higher level of force to control a dangerous, violent suspect, sometimes, this force doesn’t match the circumstances. Police behaviors that can be considered excessive include the use of firearms and a taster, baton, or pepper spray, handcuff suspects tightly, and punching or kicking suspects.

When to Hire a Civil Rights Attorney 

You will need a civil rights attorney if your civil rights have been violated by police officers. The following are examples of these violations:

• Racial profiling. If you have been pulled over because of the color of your skin, you will need an attorney to defend your rights. Sometimes, officers who are racists engage in surveillance of groups who haven’t broken a law but make an easy target for harassment. 
• Intimidation and threats of violence. A lot of police officers use this tactic to try to get information from a suspect about an alleged crime or alleged co-conspirators. However, this tactic can also be used to trick suspects into waving their rights. 
• False arrest and imprisonment. Before an officer can arrest a person, they need to have a probable cause or a reasonable basis for thinking the person committed a crime. Without this constitutional requirement, they cannot detain you. 

Keep in mind that you can have a claim of police brutality or misconduct whether you are innocent or not. Your civil rights attorney can help you determine your entitlement to compensation. Every citizen, even those criminally accused, has rights that deserve protection.