No one should ever have to worry about being harmed due to the careless, negligent, or intentional actions of a police officer. However, police misconduct regularly leads to severe injuries, and victims should be able to recover compensation for what happened to them. At Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., we are ready to help when you need a Virginia criminal lawyer. Our qualified team will conduct a full investigation into what happened so we can secure any compensation you are entitled to. We are not afraid to take on law enforcement agencies or other legal teams to ensure you are treated fairly. We regularly help clients in the Suffolk, Courtland, and Emporia areas.
Police misconduct in Virginia can take many forms, and you should always speak to an attorney about the specifics of your particular case to determine whether or not to move forward with a lawsuit. At Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., our knowledgeable team has experience litigating civil rights cases involving various forms of misconduct and fraud by law enforcement officers and prosecutors. This includes:
It is important to understand that citizens have rights granted to them under the Constitution of the United States. Specifically, this includes protections under the:
There are also numerous state and municipal laws and regulations in place to prevent police misconduct, but that does not mean this type of behavior will not occur.
There are various types of injuries that can occur due to police misconduct in Virginia. At Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., our attorneys are standing by to help victims who have sustained the following at the hands of police:
We also understand that victims of police misconduct are likely to suffer from significant emotional and psychological harm. Though these injuries may not be as visible as the traumatic injuries listed above, emotional and psychological trauma can severely impede a victim’s ability to live their daily lives. A combination of traumatic injuries, as well as psychological and emotional harm, can keep a victim from working, enjoying time with her family, and participating in the same activities they are accustomed to.
Many people assume that law enforcement officials and prosecutors have immunity from civil lawsuits in cases of misconduct. The reality is that they do not have blanket immunity, and they can be held accountable when their actions are unjust, negligent, or intentional. However, victims in these cases need to understand that they need to follow suit as soon as possible. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Virginia is two years from the date the injury occurs. Failing to file a lawsuit within this time frame will result in the victim being unable to recover the compensation they need.
If you or somebody you care about has been harmed due to the careless, negligent, or intentional actions of a law enforcement officer in Virginia, contact an attorney about your case today. At Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., we are going to investigate every aspect of your case in an effort to secure the compensation you are entitled to. This could include:
Currently, under qualified immunity in Virginia, police officers are extended various protections when it comes to facing liability for misconduct. Under the qualified immunity laws in VA, police officers can still be sued, but there is a certain level of egregiousness that needs to be met in order for a claim to be successful and move forward in court.
A bill to end qualified immunity for Virginia police officers was recently introduced in the state House, but the measure was defeated. However, delegates in the state legislature have said the issue could come back up. This bill would have dramatically lowered the standard of egregiousness that would need to be met in order for a police officer to face a lawsuit from civilians for misconduct. Supporters of the bill say those police officers should give more thought to what they are doing on a daily basis and how their actions can affect others.
This bill was proposed in response to the massive civil unrest that took place across this country during the summer of 2020, beginning with the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. However, issues on police misconduct have been at the forefront of people’s minds for years now, and this will certainly not be the end of the discussion concerning the type of immunity that police officers receive.
Our team frequently helps clients in the Suffolk, Emporia, and Emporia areas. When you need a Virginia police misconduct attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling 757-742-6115.
