Police officers have the responsibility of helping citizens when they are in need, as well as keeping criminals in order to maintain a peaceful environment. Officers are given the right to rough handle citizens if they are put in a situation in which it must be done, but there are limits in regards to what they can do. For example, if an officer has to tackle a citizen down to maintain control, it doesn't mean that he or she can pull hair or viciously kick the citizen in the head. The victim can take legal action against the officer and police department in such a situation, especially if the officer isn't disciplined for his or her actions. If you need assistance with filing a legal complaint and lawsuit, the type of lawyer to contact is one that deals with personal injuries.
How the Incident Came About
Tell a lawyer what led to you getting into a confrontation with the police officer, and be sure to be honest. If you were you arguing or fighting with another citizen, stealing, or committing a crime of any type, your lawyer must know about it. Basically, if you are honest about your wrongs in the situation, the lawyer can work on building a more solid argument on your behalf. You might actually ruin your opportunity to win the case against the police officer by not giving the lawyer all of the details about your role in the incident. What you must understand is that committing certain crimes doesn't give an officer the right to harm you.
Why the Officer is Guilty
With full detail, you will have to give the lawyer an explanation of what the officer did to you during the incident. If you were tackled and slammed to the ground, it is possible that the officer isn't guilty and had the right to act in such a way. However, if your face was viciously kicked or squeezed while you were on the ground, it can possibly be considered as police brutality. Even if the officer calls you bad names during the incident, let your lawyer know so he or she can decide if it should be included in your complaint. Name calling might possibly be considered a personal injury due to the mental impact that it can have on your life.
The Response of the Police Department
If you filed a complaint against the officer for what he or she did, explain to the lawyer how the police department responded. For example, let them know if the police department spoke to you in a rude manner or if they pushed the complaint aside and didn't take it seriously. The lawyer might be able to file a legal case against the police department and officer.
Read more to learn about your rights and working with a personal injury lawyer.
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