What are the Right Steps for Filing a Civil Rights Lawsuit Against the Police?

Police officers misuse their power when they intimidate, maltreat, and wrongfully detain innocent people. All these are violations of a person’s fundamental right. When your rights get violated by the police, filing a lawsuit is crucial to being accountable and attaining justice. Filing a civil rights lawsuit provides a means to tackle any misconduct or abuse you might have experienced. However, you have to do it right to achieve your desired result. Here are the significant steps to file a civil rights lawsuit against the police.

Contact a California Civil Rights Attorney

The first thing you need to do is find a reputable civil rights attorney. Get an attorney who specializes in civil rights violation cases, especially police brutality. California civil rights attorneys are proficient in all details of statutes, regulations, and case law. They are there to tell you your rights, assess your case, and guide you on the legal approaches to demand justice. A California civil rights attorney will evaluate the actualities of your case and decide whether you have a feasible claim for civil rights violations.

Gather Enough Evidence

To build a solid case, you need strong and substantial evidence. You are fighting against the system. You need to get records of everything right from the day of the incident. You must document every detail of the incidents and injuries you may have sustained. You can get video recordings, records of police reports, medical statements, eyewitness statements, and any documents that can play a role in the lawsuit’s success. In addition, you can get contact information from eyewitnesses who can stand and support you.

What are the Right Steps for Filing a Civil Rights Lawsuit Against the Police? part 2

File a Complaint with the Right Authority

Before taking the final step to file the lawsuit, it is necessary to file an administrative complaint to the appropriate authority in the state. It can be the police department or the government agency involved in investigating human rights violations. This process involves submitting a statement detailing the incident and other supporting evidence. You also have the option to have an in-person interview. However, you must keep to deadlines, as there are often strict time limitations for filing administrative complaints. Your attorney plays a major role in guiding you and helping you simplify the whole process. 

File the Lawsuit

Once the complaint process has been done, the next step is to formally file a civil rights lawsuit. Your attorney will submit a detailed complaint laying out the allegations, the specific civil rights violated, and the legal claims being brought against the defendants. Drawing strength from evidence and legal arguments, your civil rights attorney will work in your best interest to get you the best suitable settlement.

While it’s not easy to file a civil rights lawsuit against the police, working alongside a California civil rights attorney gives you leverage to get that positive outcome.