New Jersey Police Brutality Lawyer
You Have the Right to Be Free From Excessive Police Force
The police have significant authority to enforce the laws and protect New Jersey residents. Unfortunately, police sometimes use excessive force in executing their duties. Regardless of whether you have committed a crime, police brutality is a violation of your civil rights.
If you have suffered because of police brutality, it can be difficult to know where to turn. After all, it is the police who are supposed to protect you. At Law Offices of Anthony J. Vecchio, LLC, I represent clients injured physically and emotionally by police brutality. I am familiar with the local courts and New Jersey criminal justice system. I know what it takes to succeed in a lawsuit against the police department.
I have the highest respect for police officers. Law enforcement officers have a very difficult job to do. When a police officer crosses the line and commits misconduct, however, their victims deserve justice.
I am here to protect your rights and advocate on your behalf through every step of the process. As an experienced criminal defense lawyer, I will also form a comprehensive legal strategy to address any criminal charges involved.
I will review your case for free—and remember, you may have only 90 days to file a notice of claim to preserve your right to file a lawsuit against a police department. I have an established track record of success. So call today to see how I can help.
How to Identify Police Brutality
Given the high risk to their safety, an officer may misread a situation and inadvertently escalate a situation. Police officers may wrongly feel they are in danger and overreact—a sign that their training may have been insufficient. You may have been the victim of police brutality if you were subjected to:
- The use of excessive force
- Assault perpetrated by one or multiple officers
- Denial of necessary medical treatment during or after arrest
- The unjustified use of tasers or pepper spray
- False arrest
- Malicious prosecution or abuse of process
- Unlawful detention
- Constitutional violations, including unreasonable searches and seizures
The stakes are high for police officers who face misconduct charges, especially those involving police brutality. Careers and reputations are on the line. If found guilty, the officer may even face civil and criminal charges. You need a lawyer who understands both the criminal justice system and civil process for protecting your rights in a police brutality case. As a former prosecutor turned criminal defense lawyer, I have the skills needed to get the best results possible in your case.
Protecting the Interests of Police Brutality Victims Across New Jersey
Victims of police brutality have the right to take action on a number of fronts, including filing a lawsuit against the police department. You may have a federal case in what is known as a “Section 1983 action” under Title 42 of the civil rights law. New Jersey also has civil rights laws that police must work within.
Experienced, talented legal help is key to reaching a favorable outcome under these laws. I will work to:
- Locate any eyewitnesses to the incident
- Obtain police recordings and reports
- Interview officers who were at the scene and other witnesses
- Investigate to identify whether there has been a pattern of abuse
- Work to determine whether racial bias played a role in your case
Holding the police department itself accountable generally requires establishing that law enforcement was negligent or acted in reckless disregard. An experienced police brutality lawyer will work to establish:
- Officers were improperly trained
- Officers were not subject to discipline for misconduct
- The police department failed to enforce policies designed to prevent police brutality or police misconduct
- The police department failed to monitor officers’ actions
- There was a culture of indifference to the use of excessive force or violence within the department
I give your case the attention that it deserves so that when we make our claim, we have the strongest possible evidence and arguments to support your case. I fight to win fair financial compensation, which may include money to cover the costs of:
- Your medical bills
- Lost wages while you recover
- Loss of your future earning capacity
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of financial support or your loved one’s company
The state may also be required to pay punitive damages. Punitive damages are available in cases where the police actions were especially shocking or intentional. They are only available in rare cases, but when available they are awarded on top of damages designed to compensate for the harm you have suffered—solely to punish the police for wrongdoing.
While the police do have broad discretion, their authority is not unlimited. If you or a loved one have been injured by excessive police force, take action quickly to learn more about protecting your legal rights. Call an experienced New Jersey police brutality lawyer for a free case review today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lawsuits Against the Police Department in New Jersey
It is the prosecution who will determine whether to pursue criminal charges against the officer. However, even if the state does prosecute, you still have the right to pursue a civil action for financial compensation. A compensation award may be the only means for making you “whole” again after suffering through police brutality.
The police department is a public entity. Under New Jersey law, public entities have special rights when it comes to civil lawsuits. One of the rules requires that you provide a notice of your intent to file a claim within 90 days of the incident. That notice simply puts the police on notice. It does not mean that you have to go to court, but is the only way to preserve your right to pursue compensation in the future.
