As Chicago police brutality and misconduct attorney, I’ve handled hundreds of civil rights lawsuits. People often come to me wanting to know whether they can file a lawsuit against the police for a wrong done to them.
The lawsuit process can be scary and daunting. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced civil rights attorney that knows how to handle police brutality and misconduct cases. Going up against the police and the government requires skill, dedication, and passion.
Here are the 5 stages of a police brutality lawsuit.
- Speak To An Attorney: If you believe you’ve ben the victim of police misconduct or brutality, hire an attorney. An attorney can help you determine if you have a lawsuit and advise you on how to proceed. The worst thing you can do is wait to speak to any attorney. Speak to an attorney as soon as possible. There are time periods for which a lawsuit against the police must be brought.
- File A Lawsuit: Your attorney will prepare and file a lawsuit on your behalf in state or federal court. The lawsuit is the first step in the process to get you justice.
- Discovery Process: Once the lawsuit is filed, the case moves into the discovery phase. During discovery, evidence is gathered and the parties learn about the strengths and weakness of a case.
- Settlement Negotiations: As the parties move through discovery, they will begin to discuss whether the case can be settled without the need for a trial.
- Trial: If both sides are unable to negotiate a settlement, the case would go to trial before a jury or a judge.
