police try and illegally detain a lawyer who knows the law

by Dr. Breanna Schoen DDS 8 min read

What can a cop legally do that is illegal?

Criminal defense lawyer David Pflaum is an aggressive trial attorney who helps people challenge an unlawful detention by police, an illegal search without a warrant, a seizure without justification, and a violation of the right to remain silent. For more click on previous results.

Can a police officer detain you for no reason?

Victims of unlawful police detentions can pursue 4 types of remedies under federal or state law: They can file a complaint against the police officer, They can file a motion to exclude whatever evidence of a crime the officer found during the detention, They can file a federal or state lawsuit for an injunction, and.

When can a police officer detain you for questioning?

Nov 15, 2020 · Police officers have been held accountable with civil lawsuits for misconduct that has included false arrests, illegal detentions, and even the planting of evidence. A defense attorney who also handles civil injury claims can determine if you have grounds for legal action.

Are police officers above the law?

If you are being detained by the police, you have several rights. You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer any questions. In Minnesota, you cannot be arrested just for refusing to answer police questions. In the absence of a search warrant, you can refuse to consent to your car, house, or other property being searched.

What does it mean when police stop you?

This means that when the police stop a person on the street, turn on the siren of their patrol car and detain a driver, enter a persons apartment or home, seize your possessions, or search you, they must have a legal justification or warrant to do so. Attorney Pflaum is the right defender to assert a persons rights.

What is the right to remain silent?

VIOLATION OF THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT. Sometimes the police interrogate a person by force or without advising the defendant of the the right to remain silent. This is commonly referred to as Miranda rights and requires the police to advice the accused that he or she has the right to remain silent, not to speak to the police, ...

Which amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures?

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects persons from unreasonable searches and seizures, along with requiring any warrant to be supported by probable cause and judicially approved.

Who is David Pflaum?

Criminal defense lawyer David Pflaum is an aggressive trial attorney who helps people challenge an unlawful detention by police, an illegal search without a warrant, a seizure without justification, and a violation of the right to remain silent.

What is a suppression motion?

AGAINST AN UNLAWFUL DETENTION BY POLICE. The law gives people the right to file a petition in court called a suppression motion to convince a judge that their constitutional rights were violated. Attorney Pflaum prepares the petition and prepares the client for his or her testimony. The attorney may also subpoena witnesses to the hearing, ...

What is unlawful detention?

Unlawful police detention is when law enforcement, without legal justification, restricts a person’s freedom to leave. Doing so constitutes a civil rights violation based in the Fourth Amendment. That amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits officers from conducting unreasonable searches or seizures.

What are some examples of police encounters?

They range from: purely consensual police encounters, short detentions that are limited in scope, like stop-and-frisks, traffic stops, and. official arrests. Example: A law enforcement officer sees three people who look like they are planning to rob a store.

What is an arrest?

Arrests are when law enforcement officers take a person into custody for violating criminal law. This usually means applying restraints such as handcuffs and transporting the suspect to a police station or jail. The law enforcement officers are permitted conduct a full search of the suspect incident to the arrest.

What is civil rights lawsuit?

Civil rights lawsuits can also demand monetary damages as part of an unlawful detention lawsuit. These damages aim to compensate the victim of police misconduct. The compensation aims to cover the victim’s damages, including their:

What is punitive damages?

Punitive damages are meant to punish the law enforcement officer for especially wrongful conduct. It can also be assessed against a municipality or police department for having an unlawful arrest policy. Contact our law firm for help and legal advice. We can discuss creating an attorney-client relationship.

What is Terry stop?

Terry stops are brief detentions. It often takes the form of a stop-and- frisk. Police can initiate a Terry stop whenever they have a reasonable suspicion that a crime is happening. 2 The suspect is not free to leave during the stop. However, the police search is limited in scope.

What is presumed damages?

damage to their reputation from the arrest, physical pain and emotional suffering for the human rights violation, and. loss of liberty from the unlawful detention, a form of presumed damages. Courts can also award punitive damages to the victim.

What happens when you are detained by police?

When you’re detained by police officers, it’s usually for “brief and cursory” questioning. After the questioning is over, you’ll most likely be released. Officers must have reasonable suspicion to detain a suspect, but this also usually means they don’t have probable cause to arrest you.

What happens if you are not arrested?

Think about the answers to the first two questions you asked. If you’re not being detained and you’re not being arrested, chances are you are free to go. The police cannot keep you without probable cause or reasonable suspicion.

Do you have to give consent to police?

In general, you shouldn’t give your consent to police officers. They need warrants to search you, your property, or your home. They also need an arrest warrant if they’ve come specifically to arrest you.

Do police know the law?

Remember: The police know the law well. You probably don’t. When it comes to filing class action lawsuits people have lack of knowledge about legal and right issues.

What to say when you are detained?

Just politely say, “I prefer to exercise my right to remain silent.”

What to do if you are arrested in Virginia?

If you are detained illegally, or if you are legally arrested and charged with a crime, contact a Virginia criminal defense attorney immediately .

What is false arrest?

False arrest or false imprisonment is an intentional restriction of a person’s freedom of movement without legal right. A false imprisonment results from the intentional use of force, words, or acts which the person restrained is afraid to ignore or to which he reasonably believes he must submit.

Can you sue someone for violating your rights?

You have the right to sue someone who, while acting as a government employee, violates your constitutional rights. Government employees may not violate anyone’s constitutional or legal rights, and the victims of such violations may seek monetary damages.

What are the duties of a detainee?

Your Responsibilities During Detainment 1 Be respectful. Don’t badmouth the police or become belligerent, even if you disagree with what is happening. You can have your day in court later. 2 Don’t try to leave. Cooperate with the police, or you could face an obstruction of justice charge. 3 If you are driving a vehicle, you are required to show police your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance if they ask.

Can you refuse a search warrant?

In the absence of a search warrant, you can refuse to consent to your car, house, or other property being searched. There are some circumstances where the police may proceed with a search anyway. It’s still important that you state that you do not consent. Refusing may help your case later on.

Do police have probable cause?

Police must have probable cause that you were, are, or are about to commit a crime before they can arrest you. Unlike in the movies, police do not necessarily say, “You are under arrest.”. In fact, if a detainment lasts too long, it can automatically turn into a de facto arrest. If it’s not clear to you what is happening, ask, “ Am I under arrest? ...

What happens if a police officer arrests a person without cause?

If a police officer arrests a person without cause, any evidence obtained pursuant to the wrongful arrest is inadmissible in court. The exclusionary rule prohibits prosecutors from using evidence obtained during an unlawful or false arrest against a defendant in court. Without that evidence, there may not be a valid case against the person.

Why are police officers arrested?

Arrests are made when a person is suspected of committing a crime. However, some officers misuse arrests for various reasons. A police officer in Providence, KY, was found guilty in 2018 for wrongful arrest. The person arrested had attempted to file several complaints against the police officer.

What can a criminal defense attorney do?

A criminal defense attorney can help you determine if the cops did anything illegal. Your attorney also assists you in formulating a defense strategy that may result in a dismissal of charges and compensation for damages if the police officer is guilty of misconduct or wrongdoing. Related Posts.

What are some examples of wrongful actions?

Examples of actions taken by police officers that may be considered wrongful or illegal: Police officers cannot conduct searches and seizures without a warrant or probable cause, unless the person is already under arrest. If the arrest is false, any evidence obtained typically falls under the exclusionary rule.

Can police search a vehicle without a warrant?

If the evidence is in plain sight, police officers can search a vehicle or person without consent or a search warrant. However, there could be a valid defense regarding whether the evidence was in plain sight. Officers can lie to individuals. But, they are not allowed to claim they have a warrant when they do not have a warrant or say ...

What are some examples of police misconduct?

Police misconduct includes a wide variety of actions that law enforcement officers may use during an investigation, encounters with citizens, or arrest. Surveillance abuse, planting evidence, racial profiling, excessive force, corruption, false imprisonment, and assault are just a few more examples of illegal acts committed by police officers.

Can police officers lie to people?

Officers can lie to individuals. But, they are not allowed to claim they have a warrant when they do not have a warrant or say that they are specific individuals, such as a priest, to obtain a confession. They also cannot lie about how the legal system works. Police officers cannot use bribery to obtain evidence or use intimidation ...

Why was the appellant detained?

When the appellant was detained because the police officer thought he saw a bulge in his pocket that wasn’t there before and would be searched, he willingly disclosed that he did had an illegally hidden firearm on his person.

Why was the appellant's conviction reversed?

When the case went to the court of appeals, the appellant’s convictions were reversed on the grounds that a hunch is not enough. In order for a detainment to happen, you have to essentially be a suspect for a recent crime.