312-201-8850

Civil Rights

Chicago Civil Rights Lawyer; Chicago Police Brutality Attorney

If you are the victim of false arrest, police brutality or misconduct, unlawful detention or confinement, humiliation, physical or mental harm, excessive force or threats at the hands of police, your civil rights may have been violated. If your civil rights have been violated, you may be able to collect compensation by filing a Section 1983 claim in State or Federal Court. John McNamara has the experience and understanding to successfully pursue you claim and protect your civil rights. Section 1983 of the United States Code gives citizens the right to sue police and government actors for violations of their civil rights and liberties.

To be successful on a § 1983 claim, a skilled attorney must show, first, that the plaintiff was deprived of a constitutional right and, second, that the alleged deprivation was committed by a person acting under color of state law. A police officer who unlawfully beats a suspect during an arrest would be acting under color of law. The plaintiff does not have to prove that the defendant intended to deprive him of his rights when taking the action at issue in the lawsuit, only that the deprivation of rights occurred. For example, the plaintiff who was beaten by a police officer can bring an excessive force action against an office without needing to prove that the officer intended to violate his rights, only that the officer intended to beat him. The right attorney can show that the police acted maliciously, which would entitle the plaintiff to punitive damages and greater compensation. John McNamara aggressively pursues maximum compensation for clients who have been victimized by police.