Recent Blog Posts
Balancing the Scales: Challenging Law Enforcement Testimony in Civil Rights Litigation
Civil rights cases, particularly those involving excessive force, may hinge on what an officer claims to have seen, heard, or experienced. They have the first opportunity to tell their story; they are the only ones who create an official report of what happened, and their testimony often carries a lot of weight with juries…. Read More »
Are Police Officers Considered Professional Witnesses? What It Means for Your Case
When a case involves police officer testimony, that testimony often carries a lot of weight with judges and juries. This can be discouraging for people trying to seek justice after police misconduct. But even though judges and jury members may sometimes see police officers as trained, neutral observers, the fact is that police officers… Read More »
Can I Sue If I Was Found Guilty (or Took a Plea) in a Criminal Case?
If you were injured during a police encounter where you were the suspect in a crime, you may wonder if you can sue the police department, the city, and other potentially liable parties if you subsequently made a plea deal or were convicted of a crime. There’s a lot of nuance in this area,… Read More »
What Medical Records Should I Get Right Away After Police Use of Force Injuries?
After a use-of-force incident, getting proper medical care needs to be a top priority. You may be worried about an arrest, embarrassed by the entire situation, or concerned that your injuries aren’t “serious enough” to warrant medical care. Not only is this important for your physical health and well-being, but prompt medical care can… Read More »
What Evidence Matters Most in an Excessive Force Case If You Have a Record?
Excessive force cases are hard to prove in any situation, but if you have a criminal record, it may feel like the odds are completely stacked against you. You may worry that your record will overshadow everything else in your case, and when you see how the media talks about police brutality victims, that’s… Read More »
SB 691 Body-Worn Camera Policy Updates Due by July 1, 2027: How New Medical Privacy Rules Affect Evidence in Force Cases
California’s SB 691 is currently working its way through the legislative process, and should it pass, it will have significant impacts on how law enforcement agencies use body-worn cameras. The primary focus of this law is medical privacy, but it is also expected to affect how force incidents are recorded and how footage is… Read More »
Can the Police Use My Criminal History Against Me In a Lawsuit?
Going up against the police is stressful in the best case scenario—and when you’re worried about your criminal history being used against you, you are far from the best case scenario. You may worry about your past criminal record coming up in court, harming your case and dragging your name through the mud. If… Read More »
AB 1506 and Independent Investigations: What California DOJ is Required to Do After Qualified Officer-Involved Shootings
California’s AB 1506 overhauled how fatal officer-involved shootings are investigated in the state. Rather than leaving investigations up to local prosecutors, which led to dramatically different levels of review throughout the state, this law put in place a requirement for the California Department of Justice to investigate independent investigations in certain cases. This type… Read More »
The Dangers of Prone Positioning and Compression Asphyxia
Time and time again, we’ve seen the dangers of prone positioning play out before our very eyes, either from police officers’ body camera footage or from cell phone footage taken by concerned citizens. Deaths that happen during police confrontations are often described as unavoidable or sudden, but the medicine just doesn’t back that up…. Read More »
In-Custody Overdose Deaths: Denial of Medical Care in Jail
When someone is taken into police custody, the government assumes responsibility for their physical safety and access to medical care. Incarceration does not strip a person of their human rights, no matter how depraved or inhumane others may view their alleged crimes. They are entitled to timely and appropriate medical treatment. However, families across… Read More »
