Manhattan Police Brutality

Police brutality occurs when a police officer or other law enforcement officer uses excessive force against a civilian. Although police officers are allowed to use a certain amount of force when necessary while carrying out their duties, they are not allowed to use more force than required under the circumstances. When they do use more force than necessary, the officer would have misused their power and would have violated the constitutional rights of the civilian and may be liable for damages suffered by the victim. If you or a family member has been a victim of excessive force by a NYPD officer or other law enforcement officer, you should immediately contact an experienced Manhattan police brutality lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss your case.

Police brutality describes when a law enforcement officer uses excessive force while performing their duties. Of course, police are allowed to use force. Their job is dangerous and those they must apprehend are often uncooperative. However, police are only allowed to use the amount of force necessary to get the situation under control given the circumstances. For example, the amount of force needed to handle a cooperative suspect would be minimal compared to a suspect who is uncooperative and has a weapon. If you believe that a police officer crossed the line and used excessive force on you, contact an experienced Manhattan police brutality lawyer to review the circumstances of your case.

In addition to using excessive force during an arrest, during questioning, while in custody, or while incarcerated, examples of unlawful actions by police that would result in civil liability include:

• Racial profiling
• Sexual assault
• Malicious prosecution
• Illegal search and seizure
• Coerced confessions
• False arrest

When a police officer commits a criminal act while performing their duties, they are subject to criminal prosecution just like anyone else who commits a crime would be. However, victims can also sue the police officer as well as the law enforcement agency for civil damages. Civil damages mean money damages.

As a police brutality attorney in Manhattan will explain, the amount of money that a victim would be entitled to receive depends on a number of factors. A big factor is whether the victim suffered severe personal injury or was killed due to police misconduct. If the victim suffered significant injuries such as broken bones or a traumatic brain injury, the victim would be entitled to receive money to cover their medical expenses. They would also be entitled to receive compensation to cover lost wages. Medical bills and loss wages are economic damages.

Victims of police brutality are also entitled to receive non-economic damages. For example, if the actions of the police officer resulted in the victim suffering a permanent disability such that they could no longer enjoy life in the same way as they could before, the victim could sue for loss of enjoyment life and pain and suffering. Non-economic damages can be substantial.

A third type of money damages that a victim of police brutality may be entitled to are punitive damages. While economic damages are designed to reimburse the victim for out-of-pocket losses and non-economic damages are designed to pay for emotional losses, punitive damages are designed to punish the police officer and the police department for their outrageous actions. They are often awarded in police brutality cases. Because police are charged with protecting the community, when they do the opposite, their actions are typically regarded as particularly appalling and deserving of punitive damages.

If a police officer of the NYPD or another other law enforcement agency used excessive force against you and as a result you suffered serious physical and emotional injuries, contact an experienced police brutality attorney serving Manhattan. Assault, sexual assault, wrongful shootings, false arrest, and other misconduct by police can leave permanent physical and psychological injuries. We are here to help you receive justice for what you went through. Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, Nassau County, Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester County, and Suffolk County.