Civil Rights
What are Your Civil Rights? Your right to free speech, your right to remain silent, your right to due process, and, your right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, are all examples of civil rights. These rights, and many others, are created by the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, a state constitution, or state laws.
Were Your Civil Rights Violated? The answer to this question depends on the right violated and a variety of factors. Some civil rights only apply to government entities. For example, if you were beaten by a neighbor, you have a case against him for assault but not for a civil rights violation. On the other hand, if you were beaten by a police officer, you have a case against the officer for assault and a civil rights violation. This is also known as police brutality. Other civil rights apply to everyone.
Police Misconduct: Police misconduct cases involve situations where a police officer abuses his authority. Some examples of how a police officer can abuse their authority are when they hurt someone unnecessarily, arrest someone for no reason, or, prosecute someone without the required cause.
Employment Discrimination: Has your employer terminated your employment or changed your work situation? If so, you have to ask yourself why? If your employer took this action because of your race, creed, religion, age, and/or disability, you may have an employment discrimination case. As a member of the Employment Right's Panel in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Court asks me to review these types of cases and represent individuals who could not find an attorney to represent them. But I will review your case if you call 215.564.6544 and come in for your initial consultation, which is free of charge.
What You Should Do: If you think that your civil rights were violated you should contact an attorney who has experience with these types of cases. There are many pitfalls to avoid and hurdles to overcome. I began learning about these pitfalls and hurdles when I defended police officers from police misconduct cases. Now I use what I have learned to hold them accountable. So, if you want my opinion on your case, call me at 215.564.6544, to schedule your initial consultation.
What It Will Cost: I only get paid for my services, if you are compensated for your injuries. This "contingency fee" allows those who could not afford to hire a lawyer to retain one. This way the "little person" can take on someone with vast resources.
E-mail: askalawyer@thechotinerfirm.com