Under most circumstances, a police officer must have probable cause to arrest a suspect to a crime. While that is a simple statement – and surely one you have heard before – determining its meaning based upon the totality of the circumstances is extremely complex. Often, police officers themselves are confused by this standard. As a result, officers misapply the standard. Other times, officers abuse it.

Depending on an individual’s financial means, a wrongful arrest can be devastating. It could amount to months, if not years, in prison as a result of an inability to make bail.

Police officers are trained to write police reports and affidavits in a way that protects their interests. They do not and will not write police reports and affidavits in a “neutral” or “fair” manner. Their reports and affidavits are designed to put suspects behind bars, whether or not it is lawful. To get to the bottom of what really happened (as opposed to what is written in a police report), an experienced civil rights attorney is invaluable.

If you have been falsely arrested and have spent time in prison, contact us for a consultation with a skilled civil rights lawyer.