Find a Civil Rights Attorney for Police Misconduct

Start here: national organizations

• National Police Accountability Project (NPAP) (opens in a new tab)

  A nonprofit network of 550+ plaintiffs' attorneys focused on police misconduct cases. Its site has an attorney referral listing. NPAP itself does not represent individuals.

• LawHelp.org (opens in a new tab)

  Directory of free and low-cost legal aid organizations in every state.

• ACLU state affiliates (opens in a new tab)

  Your state ACLU affiliate may take or refer civil rights cases, especially ones with broad public impact.

Lawyer referral services by state

What kinds of cases do civil rights attorneys take?

Police misconduct lawsuits are usually filed under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, the federal civil rights law that lets people sue state and local officials who violate their constitutional rights. Common claims include excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, unlawful searches, First Amendment retaliation (for example, for filming police), deaths in custody, and jail and prison conditions.

Questions to ask before you hire a lawyer

• Have you handled police misconduct or Section 1983 cases before, and what were the results?
• Do you work on contingency, and what percentage?
• Who pays case costs like filing fees and experts if we lose?
• What is the deadline to file my claim?
• Will you handle my case personally?
• What records should I request now? (Use the free request letter generator)

Deadlines matter

Federal civil rights claims borrow your state's time limit for personal injury lawsuits, which is often two or three years and in some states shorter. Claims against cities or counties may also require a formal written notice within months. Talk to a lawyer as soon as you can, and request your records right away, before body camera footage is deleted under retention schedules.

Check any lawyer's license

Before you hire anyone, confirm they are licensed and in good standing through your state bar's attorney search.

Free and low-cost help

• LawHelp.org (opens in a new tab): Directory of free and low-cost legal aid organizations in every state.
• ACLU state affiliates (opens in a new tab): Your state ACLU affiliate may take or refer civil rights cases, especially ones with broad public impact.
• Law school civil rights clinics, which sometimes take cases for free under faculty supervision.

Related guides

• When police lose qualified immunity
• How to file a complaint against a police officer
• Is it legal to film police?
• How to request police body camera footage

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a lawyer for police misconduct?

Start with your state bar's lawyer referral service, which can connect you with a local attorney who handles civil rights cases. National groups such as the National Police Accountability Project, your state ACLU affiliate, and legal aid organizations listed on LawHelp.org can also help or refer you.

Do civil rights lawyers work on contingency?

Many do. On contingency, the lawyer is paid a percentage of any money you recover and charges no fee if you do not recover. Ask what percentage they take and who pays case costs such as filing fees and experts if you lose.

What is a Section 1983 lawsuit?

42 U.S.C. Section 1983 is the federal civil rights law that lets people sue state and local officials, including police officers, who violate their constitutional rights. Common claims include excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, unlawful searches, and First Amendment retaliation.

How long do I have to sue the police?

Federal civil rights claims borrow your state's time limit for personal injury lawsuits, often two or three years and shorter in some states. Claims against cities or counties may also require a formal written notice within months, so talk to a lawyer as soon as you can.

Can I sue a police officer personally?

Yes. Under Section 1983 you can sue an officer in their individual capacity, but officers can raise qualified immunity, a defense that can end a case unless the right violated was clearly established. Read the qualified immunity guide.