Police Misconduct Legal Options

Summary

If you believe you have been targeted or harassed by police, document all incidents and gather evidence such as citations and witness statements. Consider filing a complaint with the police departments internal affairs and consult a civil rights attorney experienced in police misconduct cases. To find attorneys near Des Moines, Iowa, contact the Iowa State Bar Association for referrals, look into local civil rights organizations, and search online for reviews of attorneys specializing in police misconduct.

Full Conversation

Hannah
Hi Hannah! How can I assist you with your legal issue today?
I was wondering if I have a good case to sue the PD for targeting/harassment/abusing their power
Hi Hannah! To provide better guidance, could you share more details about the incidents of targeting, harassment, or abuse of power by the police department? Specific instances and any evidence you have will help in evaluating your case further.
Firstly, a friend and I were just parked outside the sculpture park just talking, not doing anything illegal. The police came behind us and gave my friend a parking citation for * inches off the curb, he also gave me a citation for having no registration, but I had just got the car so i had temporary tags on the vehicle. The cop told me he doesn’t want to see me in his downtown again, and if he does he will arrest me. He arrested me the next day. Fast forward, I was driving and seen a cop tailing me, so I pulled into an apartment complex, parked, then walked around the building and saw the cop parked in front of my car and asked what is going on. He asked if it was my car and I said yes, my girlfriend was driving and asked what the issue was, he said it just looked like I was trying to avoid him. Every time I have been arrested, I had been parked, shut the car off and about * minutes passed by. Ive went into the store and came back out by the time he decided to arrest me. Now the most recent encounter, the police followed me into an apartment complex, and they hit their lights, so i backed into a parking space and shut the vehicle off. The police arrested me and charged me with operating without a seatbelt. I have tints on the vehicle so they would not be able to see inside while I am operating the car, and the car was shut off and parked. They wouldn’t let me shut my car door and then tried looking through my car. I told them they cannot search my vehicle. I don’t use any drugs, so i know my car doesn’t smell of any, nor was there anything in vision of any drugs. They proceeded to call a k9 unit to sniff the car, the k9 unit alerted them for narcotics, but upon searching, they found NO narcotics. Each encounter is with the same police squad. I also would like the add, the policeman made a statement to the judge saying that he told his squad, if any of them see me, to do a traffic stop, call him, and he will arrest me
Hannah, it appears you may have a strong case for harassment or abuse of power by the police. Document every encounter, gather any evidence (e.g., citations, witness statements), and file a complaint with the police department's internal affairs. Consider consulting a civil rights attorney with experience in police misconduct cases.
Would you like more information on how to proceed with filing a complaint or finding a lawyer?
Could you help find attorneys with experience in police misconduct near des moines, iowa
Sure, Hannah. Here are some steps you can take to find attorneys with experience in police misconduct cases near Des Moines, Iowa:
*. Contact the Iowa State Bar Association for referrals.
*. Look into local civil rights organizations.
*. Search online for reviews of attorneys specializing in police misconduct.
Would you like specific contact information for the Iowa State Bar Association or any other assistance?