When law enforcement officers use excessive force during an arrest, they violate your constitutional rights and potentially compromise the integrity of your criminal case. At The Zeiger Firm, we have seen how police brutality can affect both your physical well-being and your legal defense. Our Philadelphia criminal defense attorney works intently and passionately to protect your rights and challenge evidence obtained through police misconduct.
Police brutality during an arrest can take different forms, from unnecessary physical force to verbal threats and intimidation. These actions not only cause physical and emotional trauma but can also lead to a false arrest and tainted evidence. If you have experienced police brutality during an arrest, you need a skilled police brutality defense attorney who understands both criminal defense and civil rights law. Call The Zeiger Firm today or contact us via our online form for a free consultation to discuss your case.
How Brian Zeiger Can Help If You’ve Been Affected by Police Brutality
With nearly two decades of experience as a Philadelphia criminal defense attorney, Brian Zeiger understands the complex relationship between police misconduct and criminal cases. Our firm takes a comprehensive approach to cases involving police brutality, addressing both your criminal defense and your civil rights, helping to hold police officers responsible for the harm they cause.
When you work with a police brutality allegations defense attorney at The Zeiger Firm, we will:
- Thoroughly investigate all aspects of your arrest and any police misconduct: We’ll gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review police body camera footage to build a strong defense that a person’s constitutional rights have been violated.
- Challenge evidence obtained through police misconduct: We’ll work to suppress evidence that resulted from constitutional violations during your arrest, including illegal searches and seizures, coerced confessions, and witness tampering.
- Defend your rights in criminal court: We’ll use evidence of police brutality to strengthen your criminal defense and fight for reduced or dismissed charges.
- Pursue civil rights claims: We’ll help you file complaints against officers for civil rights violations while also protecting your interests in your criminal case.
Our experience in handling both criminal defense and civil rights cases allows us to develop comprehensive legal strategies that address all aspects of your situation. We understand how police misconduct can affect your criminal case, and we’ll fight to protect your rights throughout the legal process.
Factors That Contribute to Police Brutality
Understanding the underlying factors that lead to police brutality helps us recognize and challenge misconduct in criminal cases. At The Zeiger Firm, our Philadelphia police brutality attorney has identified several key factors that often contribute to excessive force during arrests:
Inadequate Training and Supervision
Many police departments lack proper training in de-escalation techniques and appropriate use of force. Officers may resort to excessive force when they haven’t learned better ways to handle challenging situations. We can examine training records and departmental policies to identify systemic issues that may have contributed to police brutality in your case.
Pressure to Make Arrests
When departments emphasize arrest numbers, officers may use aggressive tactics to apprehend suspects quickly. This pressure can lead to rushed arrests, excessive use of force, and violations of constitutional rights. Our attorney can look for evidence that departmental policies or quotas may have influenced officer behavior during your arrest.
Lack of Accountability
Without proper oversight and discipline, some officers believe they can use excessive force without consequences. Some police departments have terrible reputations for taking illegal actions to secure an arrest, including using planted evidence in cases, conducting searches without probable cause, or using intimidation to alter witness testimony. We can investigate whether the officers involved in your case have previous complaints or a history of misconduct that the department failed to address.
Bias and Racial Profiling
Some officers may target certain groups based on race, ethnicity, or other characteristics. This bias can lead to unnecessary escalation and excessive force during arrests. Our firm can examine evidence of discriminatory patterns that may have played a role in your treatment.
Poor Communication
Many instances of police brutality stem from breakdowns in communication between officers and civilians. Officers may misinterpret movements or fail to give clear commands before using force. We’ll analyze body camera footage and witness statements to identify communication issues that led to excessive force.
These factors often combine to create situations where police brutality occurs. At The Zeiger Firm, we’ll use our understanding of these underlying causes to:
- Build stronger arguments about why evidence from your arrest should be suppressed
- Challenge the credibility of officer testimony
- Identify systemic issues that may have contributed to your mistreatment
- Develop strategies to protect your rights throughout your criminal case
By recognizing and documenting how these factors contributed to police brutality in your case, we work to secure the best possible outcome in your criminal defense while ensuring police officers are held accountable for their actions.
Legal Arguments Involving Police Brutality
When police brutality occurs, it creates several potential legal strategies for arrest-related claims, such as:
- False confessions: Officers who use excessive force may coerce suspects into making false statements. We challenge confessions obtained through physical force, threats, or intimidation. Courts often throw out evidence gained through these improper methods.
- Coercion: Beyond false confessions, police brutality can lead to other forms of coerced evidence. Officers might force you to consent to illegal searches or make statements against your interests. We work to suppress any evidence obtained through coercion.
- Exclusionary rule: This legal principle requires courts to exclude evidence obtained through constitutional violations. If officers used excessive force during your arrest, we may argue that any evidence they collected should be suppressed under the exclusionary rule.
Contact The Zeiger Firm If You’re Facing Criminal Charges
If you experienced police brutality during an arrest, you need an attorney who understands both criminal defense and civil rights law. When you hire a Philadelphia criminal defense attorney at The Zeiger Firm, we :
- Listen to your story with attention and compassion
- Investigate your arrest
- Challenge improper police conduct
- Fight to protect your rights
- Work to get evidence suppressed
- Build the most vigorous possible defense for your case
We understand how police brutality during arrest affects your criminal case, and we know how traumatic it can be. Our attorney will stand by your side throughout the legal process, fighting to protect your rights and secure the most favorable possible outcome. Call The Zeiger Firm today or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation about your case.
