where in pa do i get a lawyer when police wont do there job

What to do if public defender is not doing his job?

Sep 20, 2018 · How to file harassment charges in PA. The first step is to call your local police, and let them know you would like to file a report for harassment. You can provide them with any text messages, emails or other evidence you may have. Some police departments will allow you to file a report through their website, but you should follow up in-person ...

Do the police interpret the law to get rid of You?

Jul 16, 2021 · If you’re building a case to sue the police, speak to a civil rights activist right away. Suing the cops can be an arduous task because of the particular legal protections that apply to officers of the law. Be sure to preserve any evidence and file complaints within the police department as soon as possible. If you sue the police for ...

Should police be allowed to not do their jobs?

Jul 24, 2011 · A public defender has the same obligations to represent a client as an attorney you may hire. If the public defender is not doing his job, you could always hire your own attorney. Otherwise, you husband could bring the matter to the attention of the court arguing that he is receiving ineffective assistance of counsel.

Do you have a right to see the police?

Jun 13, 2014 · And if the police start reciting huge chunks of legislation in a bid to get rid of you, don’t be afraid to remind them that it is not their job to interpret the law. It is their job to enforce it. The Home Office, the government and the courts are there to explain the fineries of legislation, not some lazy cop who has probably memorized it by ...

What are the harassment laws in PA?

The first component of a harassment charge in Pennsylvania is proving that something was said or communicated. While in the past, this was based on verbal communication and phone conversations, today’s use of technology have led many statutes to now cover email, social media sites, texts and other telecommunications as well.

Punishment for harassment in PA

While most summary offenses do not result in jail time, not all misdemeanor charges do do either. However, if the judge finds the behavior particularly hateful or there is an existing criminal record involved, it is possible. Even so, the collateral damage of a charge on your record is more commonly the outcome.

How to file harassment charges in PA

The first step is to call your local police, and let them know you would like to file a report for harassment. You can provide them with any text messages, emails or other evidence you may have. Some police departments will allow you to file a report through their website, but you should follow up in-person or over the phone as well.

Why is it important to work with an attorney?

It is important to work with an attorney, especially one who is familiar with police misconduct cases, because they are complex and difficult to try in court. Also, if you have been charged with a crime as part of the incident; oftentimes, police will charge victims of their misconduct with a crime, such as resisting arrest or assault, ...

What happens if you sue the police?

If you sue the police for misconduct and win, you may be awarded damages, or monetary compensation, as restitution for the violation of your civil rights and any physical or emotional injuries. The court may also require the police officers and police department involved to pay punitive damages, which is meant as punishment for the misconduct.

What is the law that protects citizens from abuse and other violations by government officials?

Federal and state laws protect citizens from abuse and other violations by government officials, such as police officers. Victims of abuse by police can sue the officers individually as well as the local governments that employ them. Typically, people sue the police under Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1871. This law is known simply as Section 1983, and it specifically prohibits anyone acting under the authority of the law from violating another person’s civil rights under the U.S. Constitution.

What is police misconduct?

The police abuses and violations suffered by citizens that are most often litigated are known generally as police misconduct. These cases usually involve, but are not limited to, actions such as discrimination, harassment, false arrest, and excessive force. In order to sue the police for discrimination or harassment, ...

Who is Jeffrey Johnson?

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

What is false arrest?

False arrest claims usually assert that the victim’s Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable seizure was violated. To prove such a violation, the victim must show that the police did not have probable cause, or sufficient evidence to warrant an arrest. If the police had probable cause, or believed that they had probable cause, ...

What is Section 1983?

This law is known simply as Section 1983, and it specifically prohibits anyone acting under the authority of the law from violating another person’s civil rights under the U.S. Constitution. The police also enjoy legal protections, including “qualified immunity,” which generally insulates them from lawsuits.

What to do if you are unhappy with PD?

If you are unhappy with PD even after attempting to fix that relationship you may be forced to seek a differenct attorney. The court may permit PD to withdraw if attorney client relationship has deteriorated to such a point that there is no trust. Sadly court may appoint a contract counsel who may or may not be more involved. If you have no funds that is your best option. If you have funds to hire private counsel find the best in the area and make an appointment to meet. I routinely meet with folks incarcerated and am sure any competent defense lawyer in your area would do the same. Good luck.

Do public defenders have time?

Public Defenders do have tremendous case loads and normally do not have the time to spend with their clients that either they or their clients would like. However, they are expected to keep their Clients informed off any and all progress and to at least be familiar with the case and what's in the police reports, etc.

Can a public defender represent a client?

A public defender has the same obligations to represent a client as an attorney you may hire. If the public defender is not doing his job, you could always hire your own attorney. Otherwise, you husband could bring the matter to the attention of the court arguing that he is receiving ineffective assistance of counsel. Report Abuse.

What happens if you are harassed?

If you are experiencing harassment, then inject an element of possible domestic abuse into it. Perhaps the person harassing you was a spurned lover (Not forgetting that the police are acutely sensitive to same sex relationships). Perhaps you have been receiving phone calls that contain racial slurs within them.

What is the Home Office responsible for?

The Home Office is responsible for preventing crime and making sure people feel safe. And the police are employed by them to do just that. The decision about whether a reported crime warrants an investigation is an operational decision made in accordance with guidelines set by the Home Office. The police have to abide by these guidelines ...

What to do if you call 999?

If you have dialled 999 or 101 and are on the phone to an argumentative call handler, ask to speak to a police officer. Remind the call handler that they are civilian staff and that it is not their job to determine what is a criminal offence. They cannot refuse you to put you through to a police officer if you insist.

What does a cease and desist letter mean?

Having a lawyer send a Cease and Desist Letter to the Harasser is a legal demand that he / she immediately ceases all forms of harassment as well as having other individuals harass on his / her behalf. Having a lawyer send a letter is not expensive in terms of “your live versus spending money to save your life”; and it is exceptional evidence for moving forward in the event that you ultimately need to file a legal case against the individual.

Do you need police to work with someone to get a restraining order?

Check out my article about Restraining Orders versus Personal Protection Orders. You do not need police to work with you to get an order against someone. However, showing you have made police reports can greatly increase your chances of having the order granted.

When I first started as a law enforcement officer in 1998, I remember the biggest race issue at the time?

When I first started as a law enforcement officer in 1998, I remember the biggest race issue at the time was the Rodney King incident from 1992. I remember the Police Academy instructors telling us that the first few minutes of the King incident showed the Los Angeles Police Officers doing what they should have been doing.

Is censorship a threat to democracy?

Censorship has created an existential threat to democracy. But even worse is the risk we run that some of these incredible stories of patriotism, hope, faith and our Sheepdogs would be lost. We’ve launched a series of content with Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) to share the stories of survivors.

What happens if you leave your suitcase unattended?

If you leave your suitcase unattended in the airport to run to the bathroom , the police have every right to search it. This was determined in the landmark 1997 United States v. Tugwell Supreme Court case, which determined that whenever a person leaves property unattended—intentionally or otherwise—they forfeit any privacy protections provided by the Fourth Amendment.

Who is Rick Bruno?

Rather, Rick Bruno, a retired police commander, noted on Quora that "there are a lot of laws out there, and we [police officers] know the basic ones for the most part—the ones we deal with all the time—but sometimes someone does something that looks illegal and we're not quite sure.". 20.

Can police search your home without a warrant?

Not only do police officers not have the right to enter your home without a warrant, but they also can't search your property without one or your consent. But this right is rather recent; it was only in 2018 that the Supreme Court ruled in Collins v.

Can police lie to you?

Police officers can legally lie to you about having evidence. Shutterstock. If a policer officer tells you that they found your DNA at the scene of the crime, they may not necessarily be telling the truth—and that's perfectly within their rights.

Can you film police officers?

You are legally allowed to film and photograph police officers. Shutterstock. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Connecticut notes that as long as you are in an outdoor public space or on private property with the owner's permission, a police officer cannot command you not to photograph or film them. 8.

Do you have to show ID when traveling internationally?

Of course, when you're traveling internationally, you are legally obligated to show authorities your identification. However, when it comes to identifying yourself within the States, whether you are legally required to show an officer your ID is determined by each state.

Do police have to read Miranda rights?

The police aren't required to read you your rights if you aren't being detained. Shutterstock. The Miranda rights —that is to say, the rights that police officers are obligated to read when they arrest someone—only apply to custodial interrogations, or interrogations that happen while someone is in police custody.

David Wayne Chowins

Generally, a person can not force the police to investigate a particular incident or a prosecutor to file charges in a particular matter. So, you should contact an attorney in West Virginia without delay to discuss what your options may be. Time is always important in legal matters and the more you delay, the fewer options you may have.

Christine C McCall

Police departments have a lot of discretion in their decisions as to what crimes to investigate.

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