Maryland Police Assault and Brutality Injury Lawyer
Suffering an assault at the hands of a police officer can make a person feel helpless and scared for their life. When law enforcement abuses its policing powers, people are often left at their mercy out of fear of any further retaliation.
As stories of police brutality are often portrayed on the news and social media, it is important for victims to know that they have the power to fight back. If you were a victim of police brutality and suffered severe injuries, you should consult with an experienced Maryland police brutality injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Rice, Murtha & Psoras believe that police brutality is a terrible issue that no person should have to experience. We are committed to fighting for victims of police assaults who were injured by law enforcement officers who swore an oath to protect them.
To schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options after an incident of police brutality, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. You can also contact the firm using our online submission form.
Maryland Police Brutality Laws
Law enforcement officers have a duty to protect the public from those who would harm them. Unfortunately, there are various cases where a police officer will abuse their power by using excessive force to apprehend a suspect.
With the ease of recording events on smartphones and the rise of social media, it has become apparent that police brutality occurs more often than you might think.
That is why it is important to understand your rights when it comes to interactions with law enforcement.
In Maryland, there are levels of force that a police officer may use to apprehend a person. However, some police officers can cross the line and leave a victim seriously injured.
Level 1 Apprehension Techniques
Level 1 apprehension techniques are intended to be the least severe techniques that can be used against a suspect. For example, a police officer is permitted to use maneuvers like elbow or wrist grips under certain circumstances.
However, this technique is intended to be used to avoid causing injury to a person. Using excessive force when using techniques intended to cause minimal pain can result in a police officer severely injuring a person. There are other level 1 techniques that can be easily abused:
- Pointing a firearm at a person
- Pointing a taser at a person
- Tackling or using other forcible takedowns to subdue a person
Level 2 Apprehension Techniques
According to guidelines set by law enforcement in Maryland, level 2 apprehension techniques are intended to cause more than temporary pain to a person. For example, the use of pepper spray or a similar chemical agent can be used as a level 2 technique. Here are other examples of level 2 apprehension techniques:
- Use of a taser
- Open-hand strikes, elbow strikes, fist strikes, kicks
- Discharging possibly lethal rounds at people
- Use of canines to subdue a person
- Strikes to sensitive areas like kidneys, sternum, groin, spine, or neck
- Striking a person with a vehicle
Unfortunately, many of these techniques are unjustly employed against law-abiding citizens by reckless police officers. As a result, a victim could be severely injured when they could have been apprehended without the use of excessive force like a strike to head or neck.
Level 3 Apprehension Techniques
Level 3 apprehension techniques are the most dangerous tactics that can be used by an officer that slightly fall short of deadly force. These techniques often involve an officer using their firearm freely or using enough force to result in a need for emergency medical services. For example, level 3 techniques allow an officer to taser a person repeatedly.
When a police officer uses any of these techniques or deadly force, the police department that employs the officer is supposed to carry out a thorough investigation.
This investigation should determine whether a law enforcement officer was correct in their use of force. However, many of these investigations are not transparent to the public, which can make a victim feel like they are not receiving the justice they deserve. To combat this issue, a victim should consider filing a lawsuit against the officer and the police department they work for.
Pursuing a Police Assault Lawsuit in Maryland
If you were the victim of a police assault in Maryland, you should consider filing a lawsuit to pursue compensation for your injuries. An unjust case of police brutality can have a substantial impact on a person’s life. Not only could a victim be seriously injured, but they may become fearful of law enforcement.
Showing that law enforcement assaulted you can be difficult. As mentioned, some techniques may be approved by the law, which can make it hard to show an incident of brutality. However, our firm is here to help victims of an assault gather evidence and pursue a lawsuit against a reckless police officer. Whether you were convicted of a crime or not, your rights should not be violated by law enforcement.
Consult with Our Experienced Maryland Police Assault + Brutality Injury Attorney
If you or a family member was assaulted by law enforcement, contact an experienced Maryland police assault injury attorney. Personal injury attorney Randolph Rice has developed exceptional legal skills in his many years of practicing law, and he is dedicated to helping his clients seek the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
To schedule a free legal consultation, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291. You may also contact the firm online
