Illinois police brutality attorneys did not find the October 2008 FBI Press Release shocking. On October 21, 2008, the FBI announced the arrest of former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge. Burge is accused of abusing approximately 200 men, the majority of whom were African American, in order to coerce confessions. In addition to detailing the allegations against former Commander Burge, the press release also discussed a series of lawsuits filed by Chicago civil rights lawyers that were brought against former Commander Burge and those officers whom he supervised. The lawsuits alleged that former Commander Burge and the officers under his direct supervision tortured and physically abused suspects in police custody.
Victim Rights
In the United States, people who are arrested for a crime have certain legal protections. One of those rights is the right to not be subject to torture, brutality or the use of excessive force. When a police officer uses excessive force, brutality or torture then the victim may have civil rights, constitutional and negligence claims against the officer, police department and/or city or state.
Section 1983 of the Federal Civil Rights Act allows a victim to file a lawsuit if he or she has been subjected to conduct that occurred under the color of state law and deprived the victim of the rights, privileges or immunities guaranteed by federal law or the U.S. Constitution. Since police officers are acting according to the authority of state law and the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution provides protection against police brutality, plaintiffs may have a cause of action pursuant to Section 1983.
Potential plaintiffs may also have personal injury or wrongful death claims against police officers who used excessive force. In order be successful in a personal injury or wrongful death claim, a plaintiff must prove that a police officer was negligent. Specifically, a plaintiff must prove that the officer had a duty to the person who has injured or killed, that the officer breached that duty by failing to act like a reasonable police officer would have acted given the circumstances, that the officer’s actions caused the injuries and that the plaintiff is entitled to damages pursuant to state law.
Hire the Right Illinois Police Brutality Attorney
It can be intimidating to sue a police officer, police department, city or state. We are taught from an early age to respect uniformed officers who serve to protect the public and most of our officers deserve our respect. However, when a police officer uses unwarranted violence or torture then that officer must be held accountable.
Dolan Law Offices represents victims who have been abused by police officers throughout Illinois and the greater Chicagoland area, including Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County, and the towns of Aurora, Addison, Chicago Heights, Joliet, Hillsdale, Plainfield, Rolling Meadows, Des Plains, Schaumburg, Palatine, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Hanover Park, Streamwood, Prospect Heights, Wheeling, Wheaton, Waukegan, Inverness, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Elgin, Bartlett, Itasca, Bloomingdale and Oak Park.
Please contact us today for a free consultation. The Chicago police abuse attorneys of Dolan Law Offices will not collect a fee from you unless your case results in a monetary verdict or settlement.
