Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
While the police are meant to protect the citizens from danger, it is unfortunate that many officers use their powers to inflict injustice. The police are given training that specifically teaches them how to avoid the usage of excessive force or harassment. However, some officers tend to use their power in order to arrest or harass people they suspect of a crime.
The police are indeed powerful men, but they are not allowed to abuse their power for their personal agendas. Contact Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys today to seek justice.
Different forms of police brutality
1. False imprisonment.
False imprisonment occurs when a police officer arrests someone without probable cause or having an arrest warrant. An officer is allowed to take a person into custody if they witness them committing a crime, have a reasonable reason they committed a crime, or think that they are going to commit a crime. The reasonable belief may or may not be factually accurate and can be proven wrong later. However, if the police do not have legal grounds for arrest, it is called false imprisonment.
2. Use of excessive force.
The police are only allowed to use the amount of force required to fulfill their duties as an officer. How much force should be used depends on the circumstances of the situation. For example, a police officer may use excessive force when trying to restrain a person who is in possession of dangerous weapons.
However, it is important that the police do not act brutally with someone who does not possess arms and is not life-threatening in any way. If the police have used excessive force on you without reason, make sure you keep records of your injury to be used as evidence.
3. Wrongful search and seizures.
Besides needing a valid search warrant, law enforcement must also have probable cause or reasonable reason to search your property and seize your items. However, it is also important to remember that the police may not need a warrant in some cases.
For example, the police can search your house or vehicle without needing a warrant if you have been charged with an offense or if the law enforcement has probable cause to believe that you committed a crime.
4. Malicious prosecution.
Malicious prosecution is when a police officer initiates a criminal proceeding without any reasonable proof. While this type of proceedings usually ends in the victim not being convicted, it causes emotional stress, financial expenses, and embarrassment.
Police brutality can inflict mental stress and even severe physical injuries. If you have suffered from injuries at the hands of law enforcement, police brutality attorneys can help.
