If you fall victim to law enforcement misconduct, brutality, or civil rights violations in St. Louis, you deserve justice for the harm done. Achieving justice is hard—especially when victims of misconduct from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) don’t know where to turn. The St. Louis police brutality lawyers at our personal injury law firm are committed to helping victims of police misconduct fight for the justice and compensation they deserve.
In this Article
Getting Help If You Are Injured by a Law Enforcement Officer
What Is St. Louis Police or ICE Misconduct?
Misconduct by law enforcement officers occurs when officers from agencies like the SLMPD or ICE agents in Missouri violate your constitutional or civil rights. These violations are serious abuses of power. They can include excessive force, false arrest, unlawful searches, malicious prosecution, retaliation for exercising your rights, or discriminatory enforcement based on your race or background. A skilled police misconduct attorney or civil rights attorney from our law firm can help you identify if you have a police misconduct case or a case under civil rights law.
How Common Is Police Misconduct in St. Louis?
Accountability organizations and data journalism groups track metrics on police interactions across the country. The Police Scorecard for Missouri reports:
From 2013 to 2023, there were 322 killings by police; a Black person was 4.5 times as likely to be killed, and a Latinx person was 0.8 times as likely to be killed, when compared to a white person.
From 2016 to 2022, there were 5,643 civilian complaints of police misconduct; 29% ruled in favor of the civilian.
Common Types of Misconduct Cases
A police misconduct lawyer in St. Louis can handle a wide range of cases involving:
Excessive use of force: an officer uses more force than is reasonably necessary.
False arrest: you are detained without legal cause or probable cause.
Illegal search or seizure: an officer searches you or your property without a warrant or a valid legal reason.
Malicious prosecution: an officer initiates criminal charges against you without cause, and you are wrongfully convicted.
Police shootings: an officer wrongfully discharges a firearm, causing injury or death.
Failure to intervene: an officer witnesses another officer’s misconduct and does nothing to stop it.
Recording retaliation: you are punished or arrested for lawfully filming police activity.
Racial profiling: an officer stops, questions, or searches you based on your race or ethnicity.
Denial of medical care: an officer withholds necessary medical care while you are in custody.
ICE misconduct: this includes warrantless raids, unlawful detainers, and excessive force during enforcement actions.
How to File a Complaint
Depending on the circumstances, there are various ways of pursuing justice and holding law enforcement accountable in police brutality cases or civil rights cases.
St. Louis Police Department Actions
If you believe an SLMPD officer engaged in misconduct, you can file a formal complaint. This process holds officers accountable and documents your experience. To start, you should:
Document everything you can remember, including the date, time, location, officer names, and badge numbers.
Gather evidence such as photos, videos, and contact information for any witnesses.
For misconduct by federal agents, such as those with ICE, the process is different. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) is an independent watchdog that investigates abuse and misconduct within DHS agencies. You can file a complaint directly through the DHS OIG complaint portal.
ACLU of Missouri
If you believe your civil rights were violated by police or ICE in Missouri, you can file a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri (ACLU-MO) at their advocacy assistance page. For one-on-one legal advice or representation, it’s important to contact a St. Louis civil rights lawyer.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Missouri?
In Missouri, the time limit to file a lawsuit to seek justice, known as the statute of limitations, is strict. For federal civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the deadline is generally two years. However, legal deadlines can be complex in cases involving wrongful death and cases involving government entities.
How to Get Help If You Are Injured by a St. Louis Police Officer
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries due to law enforcement brutality or misconduct, you need legal representation from an experienced advocate. A St. Louis police misconduct lawyer will evaluate your claim, gather crucial evidence (like bodycam footage), and file the necessary legal documents. Many of these cases are pursued under federal law 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which allows citizens to sue government officials for civil rights violations under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
A successful police brutality or civil rights lawsuit can help clients recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other forms of compensation. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoing. Contact a local St. Louis police brutality attorney for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Our St. Louis police brutality lawyers are committed to helping victims of police misconduct.
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$800,000
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