Police are trusted to protect and serve the public, but when excessive force leads to serious injury, victims need to know their rights and how to take immediate action.

If you have been harmed by police brutality, a Madison County excessive force lawyer could provide crucial support. Let a dedicated attorney defend your civil rights and help you get the justice you deserve.

Civil Rights in Madison County, Illinois

Civil rights laws protect the public from discrimination and unfair treatment. This includes discrimination by age, gender, sexual orientation, race, et cetera. Sexual harassment, employee discrimination, and police misconduct are several examples of civil rights violations in Madison County.

Police Misconduct

Police officers are given power and entrusted with the safety of the public. Sadly, it is all too common for an officer to abuse that power.

Whether conscious or not, police discrimination often shows itself in acts of force that are unnecessarily aggressive for the situation. If a less extreme action could have subdued the suspect but the officer chose to act forcefully instead, this is called excessive force. Examples of excessive force can include:

  • Tasing or pepper-spraying a suspect who is not resisting arrest
  • Striking a suspect when they are cooperative
  • Excessively tightening handcuffs on a suspect
  • Using deadly force when a suspect is not threatening the officer

Although countless members of the police force act honorably and follow the law, many do not. Those who behave dishonorably may think they will not be held accountable for their actions. Because of this, it is crucial for victims to reach out to an excessive force attorney as soon as possible.

What to Do Following Excessive Police Force

Those who are victims of police brutality should take several crucial steps immediately following the abuse. They should document the injuries they received and any damage done to their surroundings by taking pictures or videos. If the victim or a witness was able to record the event as it happened, the videos or photos could help the victim’s lawyer prove that the officer displayed excessive force.

Another step to take after someone gets injured by police brutality is to seek medical treatment. Doing so allows a medical professional to record the extent of the wounds. Any treatment prescribed could be sought as damages in a lawsuit.

A third action for victims in Madison County to take is to contact an excessive force attorney. The attorney could begin investigating the incident and compiling evidence right away. They could also instruct the injured party on how to file an injury claim.

Police are trusted to protect and serve the public, but when excessive force leads to serious injury, victims need to know their rights and how to take immediate action.

If you have been harmed by police brutality, a Madison County excessive force lawyer could provide crucial support. Let a dedicated attorney defend your civil rights and help you get the justice you deserve.

Civil Rights in Madison County, Illinois

Civil rights laws protect the public from discrimination and unfair treatment. This includes discrimination by age, gender, sexual orientation, race, et cetera. Sexual harassment, employee discrimination, and police misconduct are several examples of civil rights violations in Madison County.

Police Misconduct

Police officers are given power and entrusted with the safety of the public. Sadly, it is all too common for an officer to abuse that power.

Whether conscious or not, police discrimination often shows itself in acts of force that are unnecessarily aggressive for the situation. If a less extreme action could have subdued the suspect but the officer chose to act forcefully instead, this is called excessive force. Examples of excessive force can include:

  • Tasing or pepper-spraying a suspect who is not resisting arrest
  • Striking a suspect when they are cooperative
  • Excessively tightening handcuffs on a suspect
  • Using deadly force when a suspect is not threatening the officer

Although countless members of the police force act honorably and follow the law, many do not. Those who behave dishonorably may think they will not be held accountable for their actions. Because of this, it is crucial for victims to reach out to an excessive force attorney as soon as possible.

What to Do Following Excessive Police Force

Those who are victims of police brutality should take several crucial steps immediately following the abuse. They should document the injuries they received and any damage done to their surroundings by taking pictures or videos. If the victim or a witness was able to record the event as it happened, the videos or photos could help the victim’s lawyer prove that the officer displayed excessive force.

Another step to take after someone gets injured by police brutality is to seek medical treatment. Doing so allows a medical professional to record the extent of the wounds. Any treatment prescribed could be sought as damages in a lawsuit.

A third action for victims in Madison County to take is to contact an excessive force attorney. The attorney could begin investigating the incident and compiling evidence right away. They could also instruct the injured party on how to file an injury claim.