Few of us ever expect to face aggressive or excessive force during an encounter with police, but it happens more often than many people realize. If you suspect police officers crossed the line into brutality, you could have a claim for compensation – but you’ll need strong, reliable police brutality evidence that shows exactly what happened and why the force was unnecessary. An experienced Philadelphia police brutality attorney can help you obtain it.
Understanding the Burden of Proof in Police Brutality Cases
You have the burden of proof in a police brutality claim. That means you must show that the law enforcement officers in question used force that was unreasonable or unconstitutional under the circumstances. Courts consider whether the officer’s actions were objectively reasonable based on the Fourth Amendment’s protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. Strong documentation helps you establish how the encounter happened, the force used, and the impact on your physical and emotional well-being.
Key Types of Evidence in Police Brutality Cases
Many claims rely on a mix of evidence for police brutality cases. Each piece of evidence helps a judge or jury understand what happened. A successful claim often pulls together multiple sources that support each other. For example, proving police misconduct might involve the following:
- Video and photographic evidence: Video footage can provide some of the clearest proof of the extent of the physical force involved in your case. Video can show angles, timelines, and officer actions that would otherwise be open to interpretation. Photos taken after the incident help document injuries. These visuals create a record that’s hard to dispute.
- Medical records and expert testimony: Medical evidence documents the injuries that law enforcement officials caused and connects those injuries to the use of excessive force. Such evidence often includes descriptions of how the injuries happened, which can support your version of events. You may also use expert testimony, especially from doctors or use-of-force experts.
- Witness statements and civilian testimony: Witnesses who saw the encounter can describe how the officer behaved, what you were doing at the time, whether you appeared to be cooperating, and whether the officer gave commands before resorting to physical violence. Witness statements can contradict officers who try to justify excessive force incidents by claiming you were resisting arrest or threatening them.
- Police reports and internal investigation records: Police reports describe the officer’s version of events. Comparing that report to video and other evidence can reveal inconsistencies. If the report leaves out major details or exaggerates your behavior, those discrepancies help strengthen your case. Internal investigation files can also provide valuable evidence about their work history.
An experienced police abuse lawyer in Philadelphia can gather evidence and demand justice in police misconduct cases.
What to Do After a Police Brutality Incident
If you believe that you are a victim of police brutality, you can protect your rights and preserve crucial evidence by following these steps:
- Seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Take photos and video of your injuries, damaged clothing, property, and the scene.
- Write down your memory of the violent encounter, including the names of the officers involved, badge numbers, and patrol car numbers.
- Identify any witnesses and ask for their names and contact information.
- Avoid posting about the incident on social media.
- Keep every piece of paperwork connected to the encounter. Receipts, medical bills, discharge summaries, and repair invoices all help document the impact of what happened.
If you experienced excessive force from a police encounter, reach out to a skilled police brutality lawyer for legal assistance.
The Role of a Police Brutality Lawyer in Building a Strong Case
A police brutality lawyer can gather the evidence you need and build a case grounded in federal civil rights laws. When necessary, they can work with experts and handle communication with police departments and opposing counsel.
Civil rights cases move quickly and come with strict deadlines, so getting a lawyer involved early helps protect your ability to pursue a claim—and effectively respond to any defenses an officer may raise.
Get Experienced Legal Help Today
If you’ve experienced police brutality, contact The Zeiger Firm for a free case review today. A civil rights attorney in Philadelphia can help you seek justice against the defendant officers.
