Maryland Police Brutality Lawyers
What to do if you are a victim of police misconduct
Victims are increasingly reporting cases of police brutality. It is not uncommon to find videos uploaded on social media and elsewhere of people being unjustly harassed, assaulted and attacked by police.
Numerous cases have been reported highlighting police brutality. The death of Freddie Gray in April 2015, resulting in the Baltimore protests, marked one of the largest forms of condemnation against the rising police brutality in United States. More recently in the news is the case of Sandra Bland, who died in her cell after being arrested by a police officer who allegedly had been given a warning of “unprofessional misconduct” prior to the incident.
With more and more cases coming to the forefront, people have come to realize this harrowing reality. However, many are still not familiar with how to handle such cases. For this reason, we present a guide on what to do if you find yourself a victim of police brutality.
Know Your Rights
If you happen to experience any kind of unjust harassment or assault from police officers, the most important thing that you need to be aware of is that silence is your best friend. This is because saying anything in response to police officers can be taken advantage of by the police, or be used against you in a court of law.
Therefore, never insult or abuse a police officer. However, you should request medical assistance if you have been injured.
Document Everything
To be able to make a strong case against the officers who have harassed or attacked you, documenting everything is critical. Without this, you will fail to remember many of things that were said and happened in the incident. Immediately put everything into writing after the incident.
Make Yourself the First Priority
After experiencing a police brutality incident, you need to take care of yourself before seeing an attorney or filing a lawsuit. Whether it receiving treatment for your injuries or getting released from arrest through the help of a criminal defense lawyer, you first need be in the right position to be able to make a case against the police. If you are in a state of shock, it is crucial that you get special attention from a psychiatrist or therapist.
Take Time to Make Your Case
After you have recovered from any injuries, or released from prison/detention, it is time for you to build your case and report the incident. Take your time going over your notes and verify the information detailing the incident. Consult any witnesses with relevant facts too.
Find a Lawyer
Once you have prepared the necessary information, it is time for you to seek justice and get a lawyer.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of police brutality, let the attorneys at Altmark, Rotter & Trock, LLP take care of the proceedings. Please call us for a free consultation at (410) 783-9230, or toll-free outside of Baltimore at 1-(888) 966-5566.