Police Shootings and Excessive Force Cases

The Harsh Reality of Police Shootings in California

Police shootings continue to devastate families and communities across California. While law enforcement officers are entrusted to protect the public, the misuse of deadly force often leads to preventable tragedies. What begins as a routine traffic stop, wellness check, or street encounter can escalate into life-changing harm or even death.

According to state data, hundreds of individuals are killed by law enforcement officers in California each year. Many of these cases involve people who were unarmed, mentally ill, or posed little to no threat to officers. Despite increased calls for reform, families continue to experience injustice when excessive force goes unchecked.

The Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC has built a reputation for aggressively pursuing justice in police shooting and excessive force cases. We represent victims and families who demand accountability when officers abuse their authority and cause irreversible harm.

What Constitutes Excessive Force?

Excessive force occurs when police officers use more force than is necessary under the circumstances. This can range from physical violence to the use of deadly weapons. Examples include:

• Shooting an unarmed individual.
• Using firearms when non-lethal options were available.
• Excessive use of tasers, batons, or pepper spray.
• Beatings during arrests.
• Dangerous chokeholds or restraint techniques.

In many instances, victims are left permanently disabled, psychologically scarred, or killed. Families are then forced to navigate a complex system designed to protect officers rather than provide answers or accountability.

The Legal Standard: Reasonableness Under the Fourth Amendment

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures, including excessive use of force. Courts evaluate police shootings by asking whether the officer’s actions were objectively reasonable based on the circumstances at the time.

Key considerations include:

• Was the suspect armed or threatening?
• Did the suspect pose an immediate danger to officers or others?
• Were warnings issued before force was used?
• Did the officer have alternative, less harmful options available?

If the officer’s conduct falls outside of reasonableness, victims or their families may pursue civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. §1983. These claims not only provide a path to compensation but also create accountability within a system that too often shields law enforcement from consequences.

The Human Cost of Police Shootings

For survivors, the aftermath of a police shooting can mean years of medical care, therapy, and lost income. Victims may face paralysis, brain injuries, or other catastrophic conditions that permanently alter their lives.

For families who lose a loved one, the impact is immeasurable. Parents bury children, children grow up without parents, and communities lose trust in the very institutions meant to protect them. These ripple effects extend far beyond the immediate victim, contributing to ongoing cycles of trauma, mistrust, and fear.

How Civil Rights Litigation Helps

Civil rights lawsuits are one of the few tools available to challenge police misconduct. Through litigation, families can expose systemic failures, highlight patterns of abuse, and push for reforms that make communities safer.

A strong case often requires:

• Filing immediate requests for body-camera and dash-camera footage.
• Gathering witness statements before memories fade.
• Consulting with medical and use-of-force experts.
• Reviewing training materials and departmental policies.
• Challenging attempts by police agencies to justify unlawful conduct.

At the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC, we approach every police shooting case with the understanding that we are not only fighting for one victim, but for broader accountability and systemic change.

Compensation in Police Shooting Cases

Victims and families may recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses (emergency treatment, rehabilitation, long-term care).
• Lost wages and diminished earning potential.
• Pain and suffering caused by physical and psychological trauma.
• Loss of companionship for surviving spouses and children.
• Wrongful death damages, including funeral and burial expenses.
• Punitive damages in cases of extreme misconduct, intended to punish and deter unlawful actions.

These financial awards cannot undo the harm but provide a path forward for families while ensuring law enforcement agencies feel the consequences of their failures.

Why Police Shooting Cases Are So Challenging

Police departments and municipalities often fight aggressively to protect their officers. Common defense tactics include:

• Claiming the officer feared for their life.
• Arguing the victim was armed or dangerous, even if evidence suggests otherwise.
• Delaying or withholding body-camera footage.
• Using qualified immunity to avoid liability.

Overcoming these obstacles requires deep knowledge of constitutional law and trial experience. Attorneys must be relentless in gathering evidence, pushing back against immunity defenses, and presenting a compelling case to a jury.

Christian Contreras: A Trial Lawyer with a Mission

Christian Contreras has dedicated his career to representing victims of police violence and civil rights violations. His approach is defined by:

• Trial Readiness: He tries at least seven jury trials each year, giving him unmatched courtroom experience.
• Appellate Success: He has argued and won cases in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the California Court of Appeal.
• National Recognition: He has been featured as a Top Boutique Law Firm in California (Daily Journal, 2024) and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).
• Community Commitment: Beyond the courtroom, Christian serves on nonprofit boards and teaches law, mentoring the next generation of advocates.

His record of multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements demonstrates his ability to take on powerful police departments and win.

Building a Safer Future

Each police shooting case sends a message — either that misconduct will be tolerated or that it will not. By holding law enforcement accountable, families not only seek justice for their loved ones but also drive the reforms necessary to prevent future tragedies. Civil rights litigation can lead to changes in police training, policies, and oversight, ensuring safer communities for everyone.

Take Action Today

If you or a loved one has been harmed in a police shooting or excessive force incident, you do not have to face this battle alone.

Contact the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC today for a confidential consultation. Our firm is committed to holding law enforcement accountable, protecting your rights, and securing justice for your family.