When Can I Sue the Police for Excessive Use of Force or Misconduct?
If you are looking to sue the police in Albuquerque here is everything you need to know first.
Police officers have a right to use force when enforcing the law, defending themselves or the public, and apprehending suspects. However, when the use of force is excessive, the person against whom unlawful force was used can sue the police for a civil rights violation.
If you have been a victim of excessive use of force or other forms of police misconduct in New Mexico, contact our Albuquerque civil rights attorney at the Law Office of Todd J. Bullion to help you understand your rights and hold the police officer accountable for excessive or unnecessary force.
Types of Police Misconduct in New Mexico
Law enforcement officers must use a level of force that is proportional to the threat and complete their duties in a reasonable manner. Unfortunately, many people in Albuquerque and other parts of New Mexico become victims of police misconduct.
The most common types of police misconduct are:
- Use of excessive and unnecessary force during an arrest
- Denial of due process
- Unreasonable searches and seizures of property
- Racial profiling
- Falsification or spoliation of evidence
- Coercing false confessions
If you or your loved one has become a victim of these types of police misconduct, do not hesitate to speak with a civil rights attorney Todd J. Bullion. Victims of police misconduct in New Mexico may have federal and state recourse for violations of civil rights.
Who Can be Held Accountable for Police Misconduct in New Mexico?
When police misconduct happens, the victim of police brutality has a right to file a lawsuit against the officer and his department to hold them accountable for the unlawful use of force.
As a victim of excessive use of force or other forms of police misconduct in New Mexico, you may pursue a lawsuit against the following parties:
- The law enforcement officer who abused their power;
- The police department that hired the officer;
- The municipal body that employed the officer.
It is vital to consult with an experienced civil rights attorney in Albuquerque to help you identify all potentially liable parties in your police misconduct case.
How to Prove That You Were a Victim of Police Misconduct in New Mexico
While police officers may use any degree of force that is necessary to defend themselves and the public or to enforce the law, whether or not the officer’s use of force was justified will be determined by a jury on a case-by-case basis.
For this reason, it is vital to gather all available types of evidence to help you prove that the officer used unnecessary or excessive force or engaged in any other forms of police misconduct.
Gathering evidence may be difficult if you have been arrested and are being held in custody. That is why it is important to be represented by an experienced and meticulous lawyer who will aggressively protect your rights and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries and damages caused by excessive force.
Contact an Albuquerque Civil Rights Attorney
The reasonableness of a law enforcement officer’s use of force depends on the unique circumstances of each case, which is why you should contact a skilled civil rights attorney as soon as possible.
If you are looking to sue the police in Albuquerque, the sooner you hire a lawyer, the better the outcome because evidence of police misconduct may be lost or tampered with. Our Albuquerque civil rights attorney at the Law Office of Todd J. Bullion can effectively protect your rights and interests and ensure that the police officer and other liable parties are held accountable for their misconduct.
Get a free, no-obligation consultation with our reputable civil rights lawyer Todd J. Bullion to discuss your situation and explore your options. Call (505)452-7674.
