Police brutality cases seem to be going up, but in reality, we are simply seeing more of what already happens in the media. Below, we discuss the evidence needed for law enforcement officer to be held accountable for instances of violence against criminal suspects when making an arrest and who to call for legal help.
Evidence of Police Violence
To successfully hold a police officer accountable for unjust violence, you must be able to show evidence that serious harm occurred as a direct result of an officer’s action. For example, this might be a video taken from the smartphone of a bystander that depicts officers assaulting you or bodycam footage from the officer themselves.
Evidence of Critical Injury
Minor injuries typically aren’t taken seriously or even considered “brutality.” The police don’t necessarily have to be gentle during an arrest, especially if they can prove that you were resisting or had a weapon. You must be able to show that you suffered serious injury and requested that you be given medical assistance as soon as possible.
Evidence of the Arrest Available to the Public
Cases of police misconduct that go away without fanfare do exactly that – they go away. Media attention is an important component of successful brutality cases, because police have a harder time writing the incident off. Pressure from social media and news outlets can help cultivate an appropriate disciplinary response to the at-fault officer(s) whereas this might not happen otherwise if so many people weren’t paying attention to the matter.
The Experience of Your Cape Cod Criminal Defense Lawyer
The most important thing you can do besides obtain medical help as quickly as you can is to reach out for legal support. A Cape Cod criminal defense lawyer can help you advocate for your rights under Massachusetts law in order to pursue the best possible outcome in your case. Thomas Kokonowski, Esq. is a veteran defense attorney with dozens of successful cases under his belt. Call now to book your consultation appointment at 774-561-2689.
