Civil Rights

As a resident of the U.S., you have many rights. Some of these are inalienable, which means they are universal, natural rights. They are not given to you by a law and they cannot be taken away. Other rights are granted to you by the U.S. Constitution, the California Constitution, other federal and state laws, and even local ordinances.

Your rights should always be upheld. However, they are not a physical barrier that can stop a violation from occurring or the harm it causes. Your rights can be breached in many ways, leading to physical, psychological, and financial injuries. Unfortunately, it is often the police – people who have sworn to protect and serve – who infringe upon these rights and hurt you.

If you believe the police violated your civil rights in some way, do not hesitate to contact an experienced and trusted San Francisco civil rights lawyer from the Brod Law Firm right away. We will immediately review your situation, include the officer’s conduct and your resulting injuries in order to inform you of your legal options.

Your rights may be violated by the police in a number of ways, including:

• Discrimination: Both federal and state laws protect you from discrimination based on a number of inherent, personal characteristics. You have the right to be free from discrimination based on your race, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, political affiliation, and more. If you believe the police or another type of public officer discriminated against you due to one of these characteristics and caused you harm, call an attorney right away.
• Police misconduct: Despite what the police and others may think, a law enforcement officer does not have the right to behave however he or she wants. There are federal and state laws as well as local rules regarding how the police should interact with citizens, especially individuals suspected of committing a crime. If you believe you or your loved one were the victim of racial profiling, an unlawful arrest, unnecessary use of a taser or firearm, or another form of police misconduct, do not hesitate to contact a civil rights attorney in San Francisco.
• Excessive use of force: An extreme form of police misconduct is excessive use of force. This occurs when a police officer, or other type of official, is legally entitled to use force. However, his or her actions go beyond what is necessary and lawful within the situation. For instance, when an officer shoots a suspect instead of using other means to apprehend him or her, this may be excessive use of force. This is closely tied to police brutality.
• Unlawful searches or seizures: The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects you from unlawful searches and seizures. This means the police can only search your person, vehicle, home, office, and other private premises after obtaining a warrant or if the situation falls into a specific exception to a warrant. If you believe you were the victim of an unlawful search or the police unlawfully confiscated your property, speak with an attorney right away.
• Unlawful detainment: You have the right to not be falsely imprisoned. That is why you can only be detained by the police and jailed for certain reasons. The police do not have the right to throw anyone into jail for however long they want. If you were illegally jailed or lawfully jailed but then kept longer than you should have bee, call a civil rights lawyer who represents clients in San Francisco as soon as possible.
• Violation of prisoners’ rights: As a prisoner, whether you have been sentenced to prison or are temporarily jailed, you have certain rights. You have the right to medical care and attention, including appropriate mental health care. You have the right to humane conditions and facilities, including bedding, toilets, hygiene products, and food. If you experienced a violation of your rights while you were jailed, or you have a loved one who is currently incarcerated and is experiencing unlawful conduct, contact the Brod Law Firm today.

Whether you personally experienced a violation of your civil rights or you are concerned for a loved one who has been injured by the police or while imprisoned, contact our experienced legal team at the Brod Law Firm today.

Attorney Greg Brod understands the legal, practical, and emotional complexities of these types of cases. It can be difficult to know when your rights have been violated. You may only have a gut feeling in your stomach that the police went too far or that you did not receive the treatment to which you were entitled. You may feel like you are up against something too big. However, he is here to explain your rights, outline your legal options, and guide you through which ever choice you make.

To learn more about how a San Francisco civil rights attorney can help you, call the Brod Law Firm at (800) 427-7020.