Police Brutality Lawyers in New York

Representing Victims of Excessive Force and Police Shootings

Barket Epstein Kearon Aldea & LoTurco, LLP’s civil rights division fights to expose police brutality, seeking justice for its victims and striving to accomplish changes in procedures and policies that will prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. There is a fine line between reasonable and excessive force, and we know how to draw that line. Our New York police brutality attorneys are respected and known for their ability to persevere in the most challenging cases against local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Contact our New York police brutality lawyers today at (888) 779-0267 or reach us online for a free, confidential case review.

What Is Police Brutality?

There have been numerous recent claims of police officers using excessive force across the United States, and images and videos of such incidents have triggered considerable public unrest. Police shootings, beatings with batons, excessive use of Tasers or other “non-lethal” weapons, and other types of police brutality can cause serious injuries or even the wrongful deaths of undeserving victims.

Police brutality involves the excessive use of force by law enforcement personnel while performing their official duties. This term also applies to the use of unreasonable force in penal facilities. While police brutality is typically associated with causing physical harm, intimidation tactics, and other misconduct can cause purely psychological injuries. Whether the harm is physical or psychological, it is unnecessary and unwarranted and should be exposed.

In New York, police brutality claims often involve questions about whether force was objectively reasonable under the Fourth Amendment and how officers followed department policies and state guidelines. Survivors and families may not know whether an officer’s conduct was unlawful, particularly when there is a pending criminal case in the state courts or investigations by the Civilian Complaint Review Board or internal affairs units. Our police brutality attorney in New York can explain how these different processes interact, what evidence needs to be preserved, and what deadlines may apply to bringing a civil rights lawsuit.

Our Investigation Process in Police Brutality Claims

When you come to us, we look at several key issues in evaluating a potential police brutality claim:

• How the incident unfolded, including where it occurred, who was present, and what led up to the use of force.
• What evidence exists, such as body camera footage, surveillance video, photographs, medical records, or civilian recordings.
• What official records show, including arrest reports, use-of-force reports, and internal affairs or Civilian Complaint Review Board documentation.
• How policies and training apply, and whether the agency followed its own procedures and broader standards under New York and federal law.
• What harms you suffered, from physical injuries to ongoing psychological and economic consequences.

Types Of Police Misconduct Cases We Handle

People come to us after very different kinds of encounters with law enforcement, and understanding the nature of the misconduct helps us determine the best path forward. Some cases arise from force used during an arrest on the streets of Manhattan or Brooklyn, while others stem from what happens later in the precinct, local jail, or state correctional facility. By clarifying exactly how the incident occurred and who was involved, we can identify the appropriate defendants, potential legal theories, and which courts in New York may ultimately hear the case.

Our team evaluates misconduct that ranges from physical violence to abuse of legal authority, and we look closely at how policies and supervision may have contributed to what happened. We examine not only the actions of individual officers but also training materials, patterns of complaints, and relevant provisions of New York and federal law. This broader view allows our police brutality lawyer in New York to address both the immediate harm and the systemic issues that can lead to repeated violations, helping clients understand the strengths and challenges of their potential claims.

Contact Our New York Police Brutality Attorneys for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been the victim of police brutality or have lost a loved one in a police shooting, do not be afraid to come forward. Barket Epstein Kearon Aldea & LoTurco, LLP can advise you of your rights and how to file a formal complaint. We can also assist you in pursuing legal action against the responsible officer, department, and/or agency. There is no place for excessive force, and our New York police brutality attorneys can assist you in assessing your situation and determining the best possible course forward.

When you reach out to our firm, we guide you through several important early steps:

• Listening to your account so we fully understand what happened, who was involved, and what concerns you have right now.
• Reviewing any evidence you have, such as photographs, videos, medical records, or correspondence from law enforcement agencies.
• Explaining the different processes that may be underway, including criminal proceedings, internal affairs reviews, or complaints to oversight bodies.
• Discussing potential next steps, such as filing a notice of claim, preserving additional evidence, or documenting ongoing medical treatment.

By providing this early guidance, our police brutality lawyers in New York can help you avoid missteps, protect important evidence, and decide whether to move ahead with an internal complaint, a civil rights lawsuit, or both.

For more information and a free case review, call our New York police brutality attorneys at (888) 779-0267. With offices in Manhattan, Huntington, and Garden City, we represent clients across Suffolk County, Nassau County, and the entire tri-state area.