Maryland Accident Law Blog
Protests in Baltimore continued last week despite the Mayor’s recent announcement that he will be enforcing a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew throughout the city. According to a recent article published by NPR, police responded to last week’s events with smoke and flash grenades. It is not clear how many people were injured by police in the riots so far.
Of course, the impetus for the crowds in the streets of Baltimore was the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, a black male who after being arrested by police mysteriously suffered a serious spinal injury that eventually claimed his life.
Police Violence and Citizen’s Rights
There may be no more apt time than the present to discuss the rights of citizens to remain free from violent police actions, given the recent events in Baltimore. Generally speaking, police must act within the dictates of the law and may not use more force than necessary to effectuate a lawful arrest. Once an arrest is made, police are not permitted to “rough up” or otherwise harm someone who is in their custody. Indeed, this is what was so upsetting about the Freddie Gray situation.
Police can, however, respond with some level of force when they reasonably believe that they are in immediate danger. This is a concern given the large numbers of gatherers in the streets of Baltimore.
Another factor in these types of cases is the fact that it is often the police officer’s word against the word of the injured party, who may have been violating the law at the time. This can create an uphill battle for those injured by violent police actions.
With that said, state and federal civil rights laws allow for citizens to hold police officers responsible for their violent and aggressive actions. If you have been injured as a result of violent or aggressive police actions, speak with a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.
Have You Been Injured Through Aggressive or Violent Police Action?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured by the aggressive or violent actions of the police, you may be entitled to monetary compensation through the state and federal civil rights laws. However, keep in mind that these cases can be difficult to prove, and having the assistance of a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney is very important. The earlier an attorney gets involved in your case, the more time they will have to develop and prepare your case, increasing the overall chance of success. To learn more, and to speak to an attorney about your case, call 410-654-3600 to set up a free consultation today. The law allows for this type of recovery, so there is no need to step outside the bounds of the law yourself to obtain the justice you seek.
More Blog Posts:
Maryland Appellate Court Considers the Cap on Judgments Against Municipalities, Maryland Accident Law Blog, January 16, 2015.
Baltimore Police Brutality Cases All Settled with One Big Caveat, Maryland Accident Law Blog, January 9, 2015.