Call Us atYou have the right to live free from abuse or misconduct at the hands of the police. Law enforcement officers must protect your legal rights even when you are under arrest or otherwise in police custody. Unfortunately, not all officers comply.
If you are the victim of police abuse or misconduct, now is the time to speak with an experienced attorney. Based on your injuries, you could be entitled to a monetary award. Let an Anchorage police misconduct lawyer review your case and assist you with pursuing the justice you deserve.
Examples of Police Misconduct
There are countless examples of police misconduct. When these acts violate the law, a police misconduct attorney in Anchorage might be able to hold the offending officer accountable.
Often, police misconduct occurs during a criminal investigation. These claims often involve false arrests that law enforcement makes without any viable grounds. Police misconduct could also involve illegal searches and seizures.
Other acts of misconduct are abusive in nature. They could include excessive use of force or even a wrongful shooting. In addition to police brutality, other examples of law enforcement wrongdoing include sexual abuse and jail neglect.
These are only a few ways that police misconduct could occur. In some cases, this wrongdoing occurs at the hands of state or local government agencies. Anyone acting in their official capacity could be the basis for a compensation claim if they are responsible for misconduct.
1983 Actions and the Civil Rights Act
Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act provides an avenue for civil legal action against the police following misconduct. These legal actions are commonly known as 1983 claims or Section 1983 claims. Under Section 1983, various remedies are available following an act of abuse. The primary resolution in these cases is monetary damages. These damages could provide for an abuse victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and loss of liberty, among other things.
It is also possible to pursue punitive damages through a Section 1983 claim. Unlike most monetary damages, punitive damages do not exist to compensate a victim for something they have lost. The purpose of these damages is to punish the parties that allowed police abuse to occur. A jury determines whether or not punitive damages are available.
Injunctive relief could also be an option for a misconduct claim. An injunction is a form of court order requiring the government to make changes to stop this type of abuse from occurring again. A knowledgeable lawyer in Anchorage could discuss which damages could be available in a particular police misconduct case.
Compensation for Prison Misconduct
While the term police misconduct is commonly used, the protections under federal law from abuse at the hands of law enforcement extend beyond the police. These same rules also apply to acts of brutality that occur in prison. Jail misconduct could also result in a viable claim for compensation under the Civil Rights Act.
Talk to an Anchorage Police Misconduct Attorney Today
If you have faced abuse or misconduct at the hands of law enforcement, you deserve compensation. The proper legal counsel could help you protect your rights and seek justice. Do not take on this fight on your own. Reach out to an Anchorage police misconduct lawyer as soon as possible.
