Youngstown Police Misconduct Lawsuit Lawyer

The officers of the Youngstown Police Department have an inherently dangerous and difficult job that they are expected to carry out honorably. The unfortunate reality is that police misconduct is a prevalent issue in Ohio and throughout the US. If you believe you are the victim of any sort of police misconduct, experienced legal counsel is a crucial resource. A Youngstown police misconduct lawsuit lawyer is an essential asset for this difficult type of case.

Representing Victims of Police Misconduct in Youngstown, OH

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has been representing injured clients in Youngstown and throughout Mahoning County since 1946. We have more than 80 years of experience handling some of the most challenging injury claims in Ohio and have successfully secured more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients. More than 25% of all settlements over seven figures awarded in Ohio during the past two years were obtained by our firm. *

When you believe that a police officer has violated their authority and harmed you or a loved one through any type of misconduct, it can be incredibly daunting to think of bringing a civil lawsuit against the police. According to Police Scorecard, there were 10,784 civilian complaints filed against the police in Ohio between 2016 and 2022, and only 14% resulted in rulings in favor of civilians. When you hire a police misconduct lawsuit lawyer, you level the playing field.

Police misconduct can occur in various ways, including:

• Unlawful search and seizure of property. Police may only conduct searches under very specific conditions, with consent of the party being searched, or with a signed search warrant.
• Constitutional rights violations. When the police arrest a suspect, the arresting officers must read the suspect their Miranda rights, and the suspect has the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Coercing confessions, failure to read Miranda rights, or denying the suspect their phone calls could qualify as Constitutional rights violations and grounds for police misconduct lawsuits.
• Excessive force. Police may need to use violence or even deadly force in some situations, but they receive extensive training so they know the appropriate level of force to use in a given situation. Excessive force can result in traumatic injury or death, and proving excessive force can be very difficult without an attorney’s help.
• Wrongful shootings. Police may need to use their firearms in certain situations, but police are generally restricted to only using them when they need to protect themselves from imminent threats of deadly harm, to protect others from imminent threats of injury or death, or if the suspect has committed a felony that demonstrates clear disregard for the safety of others.
• Wrongful imprisonment. Unfortunately, some people are tried and convicted for crimes they did not commit, and many of them serve prison time unfairly. It can be challenging to prove the truth of these situations, but your Youngstown police misconduct lawsuit attorney can explain your legal options for resolving a wrongful imprisonment and claiming compensation for your damages.

In any type of police misconduct lawsuit, the plaintiff needs experienced legal counsel on their side to not only gather and preserve crucial evidence for proving the truth of the situation, but also for addressing the procedural violations that occurred so those responsible are held accountable for the harm they have caused.

A successful police misconduct lawsuit in Youngstown may not only yield compensation for the various economic and non-economic damages you suffered because of the injustice you experienced, but it can also lead to systemic changes that reduce the chances of others facing similar experiences in the future.

The Youngstown police misconduct lawsuit lawyers at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber have the skills and experience required for the most challenging civil lawsuits in Ohio, and we are confident we can guide you to a favorable outcome in your upcoming case. You have a limited time to gather the evidence you need for this complex lawsuit, so reach out to our team at your first opportunity to learn how we can help.

FAQs

Q: Who Pays Police Misconduct Settlements?

A: In most cases, cities will pay police misconduct settlements using funds from local government budgets. Ultimately, the cost of these lawsuits falls on the taxpayers. Individual police officers found guilty of misconduct are typically indemnified from paying civil damages, but may face criminal prosecution depending on the severity of their actions.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim in a Police Misconduct Lawsuit?

A: The amount of compensation you can claim in a police misconduct lawsuit varies based on the details of your situation. You may qualify to claim compensation for medical expenses and lost income resulting from an injury, and some plaintiffs can recover pain and suffering compensation. In many of these cases, plaintiffs are also awarded punitive damages to reflect the severity of the misconduct they experienced.

Q: How Do You Prove Police Misconduct?

A: Proving police misconduct may require physical and digital evidence along with witness testimony that shows the police officer in question overstepped their authority, committed a crime, or otherwise violated their professional duties in a way that caused actual harm. Your Youngstown police misconduct lawsuit lawyer can build your case, gathering evidence that you otherwise would not be able to collect on your own.

Q: What Does it Cost to Hire a Police Misconduct Lawsuit Lawyer?

A: The cost to hire a police misconduct lawsuit lawyer depends on the lawyer’s billing policy. Spangenberg Shibley & Liber accepts personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay any attorneys’ fees upfront. Instead, we charge a percentage of the compensation we recover for you, but only if we succeed with your case. If we are unable to obtain compensation for any reason, the client pays nothing.

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has an extensive record of successful representation in a wide range of complex civil cases throughout Ohio, including police misconduct lawsuits. We are confident we can help you build a comprehensive case and secure appropriate compensation for the mistreatment you experienced. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Youngstown police misconduct lawsuit lawyer.

*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.