Civil Rights

San Diego Civil Rights Lawyers

Helping Our Clients Fight Back Against Inappropriate Police Action

In America, people enjoy a variety of rights that are meant to prevent government overreach. Unfortunately, repeated civil rights violations prove that citizens aren’t always afforded the rights that they’re owed.

Police misconduct isn’t uncommon in San Diego County, and bad police officers manage to make the entire force look culpable. Officers may target individuals based on protected statuses (e.g., race, sexual orientation), or they may simply overstep the bounds of their authority against anyone. If you’re in this situation, a San Diego civil rights lawyer may be able to help.

At Finn Trial Attorneys, our dedicated team of professionals knows what can happen when government officials abuse their power. While we often envision dishonest politicians and judges when we think of overreach, the truth is that such abuses of power can occur at street level with dishonest and unprofessional police officers.

Those who have faced excessive force, false arrests, wrongful detainment, or any other abuse of power may be able to recover compensation through civil rights claims. Our law firm is here to help you understand your rights and how to move forward.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

What Actions of Law Enforcement Officers Violate Civil Rights?

When a person is wrongfully arrested for a crime, criminal defense lawyers typically help them get charges dismissed. However, some of these charges are dropped long before attorneys get involved — because prosecutors recognize that police misconduct occurred. In these instances, they don’t want to shine a light on the situation by bringing the matter to trial.

Unfortunately, not everyone is this fortunate. Countless people are wrongfully charged and convicted in our country. Regardless of whether you were convicted, only arrested, or temporarily detained, officer misconduct may entitle you to compensation.

Civil Rights Violations List

The following law enforcement actions are the most common violations of civil rights:

  • Excessive force or police brutality
    Experienced civil rights attorneys can help victims of excessive force or police brutality seek justice and hold law enforcement accountable for their actions.
  • False arrest or imprisonment
    If you have been wrongfully arrested or imprisoned without probable cause, our legal team can assist in protecting your rights and pursuing compensation.
  • Unlawful search and seizure
    Illegal searches and seizures violate your Fourth Amendment rights; our lawyers fight to ensure your privacy is respected and unlawful evidence is excluded.
  • Sexual assault
    Victims of sexual assault by law enforcement officers deserve justice and support; we are committed to advocating vigorously on your behalf.
  • Discrimination based on race, gender identity, national origin, and other protected statuses
    Discrimination in any form infringes on your civil rights; our attorneys are dedicated to combating bias and securing equal protection under the law.
  • Malicious prosecution
    If you have been targeted through baseless legal actions, we can help challenge malicious prosecution and defend your reputation and freedom.
  • Failure to intervene in misconduct
    When officers fail to stop misconduct, they are complicit; our legal team holds all responsible parties accountable to prevent further violations.
  • Violation of the right to free speech or assembly
    Your First Amendment rights to free speech and peaceful assembly are fundamental; we defend those unlawfully silenced or punished for exercising these rights.
  • Deliberate indifference to medical needs (e.g., “I can’t breathe”)
    Ignoring serious medical needs can lead to tragic consequences; we fight to ensure detainees receive necessary medical care and humane treatment.
  • Retaliation for exercising legal rights
    Retaliation by government officials for asserting your rights is unlawful; we provide strong legal representation to protect you from such abuses.
  • Coerced confessions
    Confessions obtained through coercion violate due process; our attorneys work to exclude such evidence and safeguard your constitutional protections.
  • Denial of legal counsel
    Everyone has the right to legal representation; if denied, we will take action to defend your rights and ensure fair treatment under the law.

It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive. Claims could be brought under various civil rights laws, and in some instances, these cases may reach federal court. Regardless of whether you faced criminal charges — and even if you’ve already been convicted — it may still be possible to hold truth to power.

It’s up to you to seek justice. Otherwise, such misconduct is likely to continue unchecked. Fortunately, this isn’t a burden that you have to take on alone. At Finn Trial Attorneys, our San Diego, CA, civil rights lawyers are ready to do the heavy lifting on your behalf.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Why Is Hiring a San Diego Civil Rights Lawyer Important?

At Finn Trial Attorneys, we represent victims of official misconduct and civil rights violations. Perhaps you suffered injuries, or maybe you lost a loved one to a wrongful death incident. Then again, it’s possible that no physical harm occurred at all — and you simply had your rights trampled.

Regardless of your underlying circumstances, there are federal and state laws that protect you. However, asserting your rights can be difficult without an experienced legal professional on your side. Consider the many benefits you’ll get from hiring a civil rights attorney in San Diego, CA:

  • In-depth knowledge of civil rights laws
  • Thorough investigation and evidence-gathering capabilities
  • Knowledge regarding proving the elements of liability
  • The ability to maximize compensation and damages
  • Litigation skills and trial representation
  • Handling retaliation and defending your rights through the process
  • Procedural and statute of limitations knowledge
  • Settlement negotiation skills
  • Deterring future violations by creating accountability

Again, this list is far from exhaustive. However, these benefits make a strong case for why having a legal professional on your side is critical. Unfortunately, some people still ask whether they should do anything at all. The answer is “yes,” as allowing these violations to go unnoticed can have troubling repercussions.

Why It’s Important to Not “Let It Slide” for your Civil Liberties

Any civil rights violation committed against an individual or group by police must be exposed. Even if doing so requires taking your case all the way to the Supreme Court, failure to hold these individuals accountable only further emboldens them.

San Diego, California, is a beautiful place to live, but it only takes a split second for police to overstep their bounds and ruin the tranquility provided to individuals by the Constitution. At Finn Trial Attorneys, we handle civil rights cases of all kinds — and we have proven results that show we’re more than capable of holding the powerful accountable.

We know that it may seem easier to just move on with your life. This is especially true if the violation of your rights resulted in no long-term repercussions — such as a criminal record. However, allowing these actions to go unchecked only increases the risk that someone else will face a similar violation. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation in San Diego County.

We’ll work hard to secure fair settlements for our clients, and when this isn’t possible, our trial lawyers are not afraid of litigation. Since we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, you have nothing to lose by reaching out today.

Let Us Protect Your Civil Rights Case

California college students have recently engaged in mass protests targeting police misconduct. They understand that the justice system is meant to work for everyone, but malicious officers often prevent this from happening.

If you’ve faced any violations of your civil rights, it’s important for you to understand your options. Every citizen deserves equal protection under the law, and when law enforcement officers or other government officials violate clearly established rights, it may leave them open to liability in a civil rights or personal injury case.

Civil Rights Attorney San Diego

At Fill Trial Attorneys, our dedicated legal team has handled some of the most complex cases in the area of civil rights. We’ve seen countless instances where due process has not worked out for people. Whether you’re innocent of the crime you’re charged with or had your civil rights violated during an otherwise lawful arrest, our law firm handles a broad range of cases.

We have a proven track record of success, so you’ll know that you’re getting aggressive representation focused on holding the powerful accountable for their actions.

Our San Diego, CA, civil rights lawyers are on standby and ready to help. Contact us at 1-800-400-FINN to schedule your free consultation.