Kamal Browder holding his phone with an image of his late brother, Kalief Browder.

Kamal Browder holding his phone with an image of his late brother, Kalief Browder.

“Civil Rights” refers to the rights you have as a citizen, under the United States Constitution, or the New York State Constitution, to be free from unwarranted governmental intrusion. In most cases, civil rights violations involve police actions and include the following:

Paul Prestia at the American Justice Summit

Paul Prestia speaking at the American Justice Summit

  • False Arrest
  • Malicious Prosecution
  • False Imprisonment
  • Police Brutality
  • Title 42 USC 1983 Claims
  • Title 42 USC 1981 Claims
  • Unlawful Stop & Frisk
  • Abuse at Rikers Island
  • Have spent time in solitary confinement at Rikers Island
  • Are the victim of physical or sexual abuse at the hands of corrections officers or another inmate at Rikers Island

Mr. Prestia is regarded as a pioneer in this area when he exposed the failings of the City of New York and the New York City Department of Corrections in his multi-million dollar lawsuit brought on behalf of Kalief Browder. Kalief was held in solitary confinement as a teenager for over two years and was tortured by corrections officers prior to his case being dismissed by the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office.

Attorney Paul Prestia with client Candie Hailey

Paul Prestia with Candie Hailey, who spent 2 years in solitary while awaiting trial

If you were detained at Rikers Island awaiting trial and were subject to physical or sexual abuse at the hands of corrections officers or if you were the victim of inmate on inmate violence- you may have a claim to pursue.

 

You cannot be arrested unless there is a warrant for you arrest or there is probable cause to believe that you committed a crime.  If you have been arrested without a warrant and without probable cause, and your case was subsequently dismissed, your civil rights may have been violated.  You may have a cause of action against the city of NY and NYPD.

You may also have a claim if you are arrested and released prior to seeing a judge without charges being filed against you, or if you were granted an ACD by the court.

If you believe you have been falsely arrested or prosecuted, or if you were physically assaulted by the police, contact our firm for a free initial consultation. We will vigorously pursue your rights in state or federal court.

Attentive, aggressive, diligent representation: