The role of the police is to uphold the law but sadly that doesn’t always happen in practice. It may be that you have been wrongfully arrested or you feel they have used excessive force against you. Whatever form you believe their misconduct has taken, the experience can leave you shaken, injured, and angry. The thought of suing the police for breaking the law they are paid to uphold can be a daunting experience. Follow these steps to make the process less overwhelming and help you achieve a satisfactory outcome.
Apply For Bail
If you have been arrested, you will naturally want to get out of jail as soon as possible and live your life as you wait for a court date. Applying for bail as soon as practicable can be imperative for your peace of mind and it will make it easier to start building your case.
Write Down Everything You Can Remember
To put your case together, you will need to write down everything you can remember about the incident. It is important that you do this while it is still fresh in your mind as you are more likely to remember what happened. Don’t miss anything out, even if it doesn’t seem relevant right now it could make a huge difference in court. You can add an amendment if you remember further details over the following days or weeks but make sure you record a date and time whenever you add to your notes as this may be important later.
Take Photos
A picture speaks a thousand words, and this is especially true in court cases. You will need to take pictures of any injuries you have as soon as possible. If your injury is in an awkward position, then ask a friend or family member to take the photo for you. This will form part of your evidence. It is a good idea to take additional photos over the following days, as it can take a few days for injuries such as bruising to come out.
Keep Any Physical Evidence
If you have any physical evidence, make sure you keep it, as it can be used to prove your case in court. For example, if you have torn or bloodstained clothing, this can show that the police used excessive force. Take photos of this and then put it in a bag ready for the hearing. Don’t wash the clothing first, as you will be washing away the evidence.
Hire A Good Lawyer
Police misconduct cases can be difficult to prove, so you will need an experienced law firm such as Romanucci & Blandin to help you make your case and achieve a successful outcome. A lawyer can help you to collect evidence and present your case in court. This will take some of the anxiety off your shoulders in what will already be a difficult time.
It may seem like an uphill battle, but it is possible to win a police misconduct case as long as you follow these steps and don’t let yourself become overwhelmed.
