If you’ve recently been arrested and feel as though there may have been excessive force involved, it may be time to file an excessive force lawsuit. If you suffered injuries or physical abuse during an arrest by law enforcement officers, you could be a victim of excessive force. Although this is a traumatic experience both physically and emotionally, it is possible to take legal action to hold officers accountable with the help of a reliable excessive force lawyer.

At Kurtz, Peters, and Associates, we are trained experts in all things excessive force. We can provide you end to end legal counsel addressing your major concerns and establishing a strong case to achieve justice. If you were wronged during your arrest, you deserve justice. Let our excessive force lawyers help you establish and fight your case.

What is excessive force?

Excessive force is, essentially, when an officer of the law uses undo violence and severity when making an arrest. Excessive force is a serious issue and is a form of police brutality and police misconduct—referring specifically to the unlawful force used by police officers resulting in injuries, whether physical or psychological, to people whilst they're under arrest, and, in some cases, can even mean death. Police officers have a moral and legal obligation to respect your constitutional rights and arrest you safely (so long as their lives are not in danger).

It’s important to note that police officers are able to use reasonable physical force as a way of self-defense, in defense of others, or to address heavy resistance. Each law enforcement agency has its own policies and guidelines as to the right amount of force that can be used during an arrest. More importantly, though, the United States Constitution, as interpreted through the courts, sets clear limits on police officers’ use of force, and you have rights.

When should you contact an excessive force lawyer?

The short answer to this question is, right away. As soon after your encounter as you can, you should reach out to a reliable excessive force or police brutality lawyer to begin building your case.

Unfortunately, in civil cases the burden of proof largely falls on the shoulders of the plaintiff so you should begin gathering evidence right away. Any proof of injuries (photos or medical records) should be documented, and mental injuries should be noted too—you could see a therapist or call upon friends and family to note how this trauma has effected your life. Again, proper documentation is key so if you find yourself thinking anything is relevant, file it away for your case.

The importance of an excessive force lawyer

An excessive force attorney is vital to not only fighting your case but establishing it, too. Your excessive force attorney will be able to help you determine if you have a case before going to court or wasting your time. They’ll hear out what happened to you, look at your evidence and experience, and tell you how you should proceed. After reviewing your case, your excessive force attorney will fight for you in court. They will not rest until you get the justice you deserve and make sure their decisions in court are informed by evidence and experience.

While working with an excessive force lawyer is crucial, working with the right excessive force is even more crucial. Our dedicated team at Kurtz, Peters, and Associates is here for you through every step of the legal process. We know police brutality and excessive force cases inside out and can help you establish a reliable case and fight it in court. Our team has years of experience fighting for justice in excessive force and police brutality cases.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our reliable attorneys today.