The Types of Cases our Civil Rights Attorneys Handle
Civil rights lawsuits can involve a wide range of legal disputes and violations. The following are examples of the types of civil rights cases we handle:
Racial Discrimination Lawsuits
If you have been denied equal treatment based on race or country of origin, you need to discuss your situation with a civil rights lawyer. Lawsuits are the most effective way for victims of racial discrimination to obtain justice and end discriminatory practices that may have gone unchallenged for decades. Housing and employment discrimination and denied access to financial or other services often have racial factors at their roots. Our attorneys know the ins and outs of racial discrimination lawsuits, so contact us for a free review of your case.
Gender Discrimination
If you suspect that your gender is the reason you have been denied equal protection, treatment, or access, Osborne & Francis gender discrimination lawyers are ready to help you decide the best course of action. Decades of federal laws are in place to prevent discrimination on the basis of gender or sex, but that doesn’t mean violations can’t occur. It means you need an experienced gender discrimination lawyer who knows which laws best apply to your case, and how to obtain the best legal remedy for your situation. The federal laws intended to prevent gender discrimination include:
- Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Equal Credit Opportunity Act
- Family and Medical Leave Act
- Equal Pay Act of 1963
- Pregnancy Discrimination Act
- Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972
If you’ve experienced discrimination based on sex at the hands of an employer, government agency, or financial or educational institution, contact us at (561) 293-2600 today to discuss your case with our expert gender discrimination lawyers.
False Arrest
To keep the public safe, we place a great deal of power in the hands of our law enforcement officers. But in order to maintain our freedom and civil rights, we place well-defined limits on how and when the police can use that power. Many times, police officers overstep those limits and make an arrest without the proper legal justification. Also, it’s often the case that these overreaches of police authority occur disproportionately in minority communities or neighborhoods. If you have been subjected to a false arrest, you have options and may be entitled to financial recourse for your losses.
Excessive Force by Law Enforcement
In Florida, there is no clear definition of what constitutes excessive force or police brutality. However, the proper use of force by police is outlined in Florida Statute 776.05:
The officer is justified in the use of any force which he or she reasonably believes to be necessary to defend himself or herself or another from bodily harm while making the arrest.
Many times, officers can take things too far while subduing a suspect; they may quickly move beyond the force necessary to defend themselves or others. Excessive force can involve the use of tasers, batons, pepper spray, takedowns, or chokeholds. Use of these tools and tactics can vary from department to department, so if you have been injured during an encounter with law enforcement officers, contact Osborne & Francis today.
In assessing your case, we will determine if the officers violated any departmental procedures in using a specific type of force. We can also help determine whether they moved beyond what was necessary for defense and acted out of anger, a loss of control, or the desire to punish by inflicting pain.
Wrongful Conviction
Personal freedom is the most basic of our civil rights. It is so foundational and important that we require the highest standard of evidence for incarceration: proof that is beyond a reasonable doubt. But the system fails too often. Either due to overzealous prosecutors, or a series of unfortunate and negligent mistakes by law enforcement, the innocent are sometimes wrongly convicted. This can result in lost months, years, or even decades. If you have been wrongly convicted of a crime, you are entitled to compensation for your lost time, wages, and more. Contact Osborne & Francis today to discuss your case.
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