No one should ever have to fear for their safety when interacting with the police. Unfortunately, police abuse is a very real problem in Southern California. If you or some you know has been a victim of police misconduct, it is important to know your rights and how to take action.
In Orange County and Los Angeles, incidents of excessive force, false arrest, and wrongful conviction have made headlines in recent years. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the most common types of police abuse and what you can do if you've been a victim.
One of the most common forms of police abuse is excessive force. This occurs when an officer uses more force than is necessary to subdue a suspect or keep the peace. In many cases, excessive force results in serious injuries or even death. All too often, these incidents make headlines—but even when they don't, excessive force is still a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
False Arrest
Another form of police abuse is false arrest, which occurs when an officer unlawfully detains or arrests someone. In some cases, an officer may falsely accuse a person of a crime they did not commit. In other cases, an officer may have probable cause to make an arrest, but the grounds for the arrest were based on discrimination or profiling.
Wrongful Conviction
A wrongful conviction occurs when a person is found guilty of a crime they did not commit. Often times, this can be attributed to misconduct by law enforcement officers—including the withholding of evidence or coercing false confessions. These cases can have devastating effects on the individual and their family, and often result in years spent unjustly imprisoned before being exonerated.
Sexual Assault
Unfortunately, sexual assault by police officers is also far too common. This type of abuse can take many different forms, from unwanted touching to rape. Sexual assault by an officer is a serious betrayal of trust—and if you've been a victim, you need to know that you have legal options available to you.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of police abuse, it's important to seek legal help as soon as possible. An experienced civil rights attorney will be able to protect your rights and help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. The sooner you get help from a Civil Rights attorney such as Scott D. Hughes, the better the chance of holding the offending officer accountable for their actions. Don't suffer in silence—take action and seek justice for yourself or your loved ones.
Remember: you are not alone, and help is available. Do not hesitate to speak up and seek justice for what has been done to you. Contact us to get started on your case.