Van Nuys Civil Rights Lawyers

Holding Those Accountable Who Violate Your Civil Rights

A stated goal of the U.S. Constitution is to create a more perfect union. From the days of its writing until today, this country has continued to make laws, procedures, and policies to support that objective. Naming and protecting individual civil rights continue to be a pillar intention of our democratic ideals.

Like other intentions, we as a country and as individuals fall woefully short of that more perfect union. When those ideals are willfully, purposefully, or negligently trampled, our civil rights attorneys at Williams and Seemen, A Professional Law Corporation is ready to fight for you.

Civil Rights Violations

Civil rights is a broad term that covers personal rights guaranteed and protected by the U.S. Constitution and federal laws. There are also state laws that address civil rights. Our firm can help you fight for your civil liberties.

Our practice areas include:

• Excessive Force. This term is usually used in connection with law enforcement, but it really is any government official who uses more force than necessary to protect themselves or others or defuse a situation. Excessive force does not have to result in severe injury, only that the action is deemed unreasonable by the courts.
• Police Brutality. When law enforcement or corrections officers use such force or negligence to cause death, their brutality may be a case for a wrongful death lawsuit. Prisoners also have certain legal rights. Inaction by police or prison guards can also be grounds for a wrongful death claim if the victim might have survived with appropriate medical attention, for example.
• Police Misconduct. More common examples include a police officer making an arrest without probable cause or doesn’t intervene when they see others violating someone’s constitutional rights.
• Police Shootings. Depending on the situation, police shootings can fall under federal or state laws or both. Like other injury and wrongful death cases, settlements in police shootings can compensate for economic losses such as medical bills, general damages such as pain and suffering, and punitive damages to punish the defendant in cases of gross negligence or malicious intent.
• Unlawful Arrests. An unlawful arrest usually falls in one of two categories: a person detains another against their will, or a person takes another person into custody without any basis for doing so. In the latter, these arrests often occur disproportionately in minority communities. Police officers who don’t follow proper procedures before making an arrest may be found to have made an unlawful arrest.
• Unlawful Search and Seizure. The Fourth Amendment in the U.S. Bill of Rights addresses many civil rights protections. Search and seizure is one of them. Police officers cannot search a person or personal property (home, car, etc.) without consent, a warrant, or probable cause. Victims of unreasonable search and seizure can pursue legal claims for any damages including lost wages while in custody and pain and suffering.

Committed Advocacy for Civil Rights in the San Fernando Valley

At Williams and Seemen, A Professional Law Corporation, we are invested in each case. We take a tailored approach to our legal strategies and fight for the results our clients seek. Our years of experience, education, and knowledge help our clients navigate criminal, personal injury, employment, and civil rights matters.

If you believe your civil rights have been violated, call us at (818) 536-7776 or use our online form to schedule a free consultation.