False Arrest Lawyers in Chicago, IL

Kulis Law, false arrest lawyers in Chicago,may be able to assist you if you have been falsely arrested. False arrest is the unlawful restraint of a person’s freedom of movement. Federal law classifies false arrests as a Fourth Amendment violation of citizens’ right to be free from unlawful seizures. Any unjustified use of authority by a police officer or other law enforcement agent may qualify as a false arrest. Individuals may have the right to sue a police department if they believe that police officers unlawfully restrained them or kept them in custody without cause. Individuals may also have the right to sue a company or a store if a security guard restrained them under the suspicion of stealing property or shoplifting, but didn’t have evidence that a theft occurred or failed to call police and report a crime. Police officers are not the only licensed professionals who may be liable for false arrests. Security guards, nightclub and bar bouncers, and military officials can also unlawfully restrain a citizen, and thus also face civil liability for such misconduct.

Where a person has been falsely arrested or restrained by a law enforcement officer, legal action may be called for. Kulis Law is a false arrest law firm in Chicago that may be able to assist you if you believe your rights have been violated during an arrest. You may have the right to seek damages for your losses, including compensation for criminal attorney expenses, lost time at work, lost employment, or other losses, such as the loss of your liberty. Sometimes individuals are physically injured during a false arrest, especially if police use excessive force. If this is the case, you may also have the right to pursue a lawsuit for these injuries. If you believe your rights were violated due to a false arrest, contact the false arrest lawyers in Chicago at Kulis Law today. We can review the details of your case, help you understand your rights, and assist you with taking the next steps under the law.

What Are My Rights If I Have Been?

If you have been stopped by police, are being questioned by police, or are under arrest you have rights under the law. For example, you have the right to remain silent (though you may need to tell police officers verbally that you would like to assert that right). You also have the right to tell police officers that you do not want them to search your car, your person, or your property. Police may perform a search anyway, but their ability to admit the results of a search performed without consent may be limited. If you have been placed under arrest, you have the right to ask to speak to a lawyer.

Police have a responsibility to only arrest or detain a person under certain limited circumstances. Generally, police must have an arrest warrant or must have reason to believe that a crime has been committed or was in the process of being committed. If police have stopped you for questioning, you have the right to ask if you are under arrest and ask whether you are free to go. If police do not have grounds to arrest or detain you, they will have to let you go.

However, sometimes police abuse their powers and may falsely arrest or detain a person longer than they have the right to detain a person. If you believe you were subject to false arrest, or were wrongfully detained by police officers, you may have the right to sue. Kulis Law specializes in false arrest and may be able to assist you. Kulis Law can review the details of your arrest or detainment, help you understand your options and rights under the law, and fight to help you get the justice you may deserve.

What Should I Do If I’m Being Falsely Arrested?

If you believe you are being falsely arrested, do NOT resist arrest. As soon as you are able, write down as much information as possible, including the names of officers arresting you, badge numbers, dates, times, and more. If you were hurt during a false arrest, seek medical care and document your injuries. If you can, take photos of any injuries you sustained during the false arrest or detention. Lastly, consider reaching out to the false arrest lawyers in Chicago at Kulis Law.

Your Rights If Detained by Store Security, Bouncers, Or Private Guards

Another instance where you have rights when it comes to false arrest is when a security guard, bouncer, or private guard detains you. If security guards, bouncers, or private guards believe you stole property, were guilty of shoplifting, or committed a crime, they may have the right to perform a “citizen’s arrest” while they wait for police to arrive. The security guard may only detain you as long as it takes police to arrive, and they must call police as soon as they suspect a crime. They must also have reason to believe a crime has been committed, that is, they witnessed the crime being committed. Unlike police officers, security personnel, bouncers, and private guards do not have the right to search your person or property without consent.

If you believe a security guard, bouncer, or private guard falsely arrested you, or if you were injured while you were detained, you may have the right to sue them. Kulis Law is a false arrest law firm in Chicago that may be able to help you. Kulis Lawcan review the details of your false arrest, learn more about how you were detained by security personnel, and fight to help you get the settlement you may deserve under the law. Reach out to Kulis Law, experienced false arrest lawyers in Chicago today.

How a False Arrest Lawyer Can Help You

The Kulis Law Team will use our legal resources to build your case and discuss your options. We do extensive reviews of evidence, documents, files, and media including (but not limited to):

• Witness Statements
• Medical Reports
• Police Statements & Interviews
• Arrest Reports
• Accident Reports
• Video Recordings (e.g. body-worn camera and dash-cam footage)
• 911 Call Transcripts & Recordings