It can be extremely traumatizing to be a victim of police brutality. Especially when the very individuals who are sworn to protect you violate your rights. At the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC, we understand how difficult this can be and want to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your situation.
As your Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyer, we work on both the state and federal levels to ensure that victims of police brutality are appropriately compensated whenever the police use excessive force in an arrest.
How Can Our Law Office Help in Your Police Brutality Case?
It can often be a difficult process to deal with the legalities of your case on your own, especially while you’re still recovering physically and emotionally. When you hire your Philadelphia police brutality lawyer, we will gather evidence, file your case on time, and deal with all the legalities while you focus on recovery.
Don’t attempt to deal with the legal process on your own, as it’s extremely easy to overlook critical elements of your case. As your Philadelphia police brutality lawyer, you can be confident that we are on your side, every step of the way.
For a free legal consultation with a police brutality lawyer serving Philadelphia, call 215.515.3360
Police Brutality vs. Police Misconduct
Police brutality and misconduct are present in quite a few different forms. Some of the most common police misconduct cases are the result of the following:
- False confession
- Racial profiling
- Police corruption
- False imprisonment
- False evidence
- Weapon misconduct
- Intimidation
Police brutality, on the contrary, typically refers to the police using excessive force when apprehending a suspect – leading to unneeded injury or even death.
It can be extremely difficult to prove a police brutality case, as the evidence is often shrouded by the offending officers and others within the department. This is why it’s so critical to hire an attorney to handle your case for you. We have the time and resources available to provide you with the best possible outcome to your case and will do everything in our power to hold those responsible accountable.
Police brutality cases determined by the court vary depending on the specific circumstances. The court in question will determine whether or not misconduct has taken place. Some of the considerations used by the court include:
- What the victim’s accusations were
- Whether the victim was resisting arrest
- Was the victim seen as a legitimate threat to the public
It can be difficult to walk into the courtroom and prove these points on your own. Therefore, it’s crucial to hire your Philadelphia police brutality lawyer to help you throughout the process.
Philadelphia Police Brutality Lawyer 215.515.3360
Why Is Excessive Force Utilized?
There are quite a few different reasons why excessive force might be used, however, it’s often suggested that the subject was either resisting arrest or was a threat to the general public, however, this is not always the case. Some of the other factors that contribute to excessive force used by police include:
- Inadequate training
- No accountability within the department
- Lack of proper culture within the department
- Lack of leadership by supervisors
These are just some of the reasons that excessive force could be used. However, depending on your case, it could be almost anything that leads to misconduct. At the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC, we will fight for you, every step of the way.
Statute of Limitations for Police Brutality
The statute of limitations is the amount of time that you can file suit for your case. In the case of police brutality, we refer to the Pennsylvania statute of limitations for personal injury cases, which is two years from the date of the injury.
However, when it comes to police brutality cases, it could vary significantly. For instance, one variable can be whether or not you were convicted of the crime when the police used excessive force. Therefore, it’s best to get in touch with your Philadelphia police brutality lawyer right away to begin your case and to ensure that everything is filed on time.
Who Is Held Liable for Police Brutality in Philadelphia?
When a police brutality case occurs in Philadelphia, there are quite a few parties that could be held liable. Although the individual police officers are responsible for the incident, the civil side of the case often falls on the police department or the municipality in which it occurred. In this case, your Philadelphia police brutality lawyers will be dealing with the police department and municipalities insurance company.
It’s important to note that the civil case is held differently than the criminal case, which would involve the police officers that caused the incident. Civil and criminal cases are both handled differently, and take place in separate court systems.
What Damages Could I Be Entitled to in a Philadelphia Police Brutality Case?
Similar to other types of personal injury cases, you could be entitled to a number of damages resulting from the incident. There are both economic and non-economic damages available. Some of the economic damages include:
- Lost wages
- Cost of medical treatment
- Cost of future care
- Mobility devices
- Diminished earning capacity
Non-economic damages can often net more compensation than economic damages, which is why we put a special emphasis on these types of damages. Examples of non-economic damages include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
- Emotional trauma
- Vocational rehabilitation
If you believe that you’re entitled to these damages as the result of police misconduct, get in touch with the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC today!
Contact Your Philadelphia Police Brutality Lawyer Today
Hiring a lawyer in a police brutality case is crucial, as it’s quite difficult to navigate the legal system on your own. Furthermore, it’s very common for those who choose to represent themselves to overlook critical elements in the case, which could have made a significant difference in the outcome. Therefore, it’s best to contact the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC to handle your case.
At the Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC, we believe that everyone has a right to legal representation, regardless of their financial ability. That’s why our attorneys work on a commission basis and do not get paid until we settle. Therefore, you do not owe us anything until we settle your case. Schedule a free consultation with our attorneys today to begin your case. We are on your side throughout the entire process and will fight for you every step of the way.
