The Fight for Justice After Police Shootings in California

Police shootings are among the most devastating violations of civil rights in California. Each year, dozens of families lose loved ones to excessive or unjustified force. While police officers have a duty to protect the public, that duty is sometimes violated — with deadly consequences.

When an officer’s actions go beyond what the law allows, victims and their families have the right to seek justice through the courts. These cases are not only about financial compensation — they are about truth, accountability, and systemic change.

At the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC, our mission is to represent victims of police shootings and other forms of excessive force, ensuring that constitutional rights are upheld and that no life is lost without accountability.

Understanding Police Shootings as Civil Rights Violations

Under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, every person has the right to be free from unreasonable seizures, including excessive use of force by law enforcement. When an officer uses deadly force without justification, that action can amount to a civil rights violation under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a federal law that allows victims to sue government officials for violating constitutional rights.

In California, additional protections exist through the Bane Act (California Civil Code § 52.1), which prohibits threats, intimidation, or violence that interfere with constitutional rights.

Police shootings often violate both these laws — and families deserve a lawyer who understands how to navigate these complex claims at both the state and federal levels.

Common Causes of Police Shootings

Many police shootings could have been avoided. Common causes include:

• Failure to de-escalate: Officers escalate situations instead of using communication or non-lethal tactics.
• Mistaken identity: Innocent individuals are tragically shot because of mistaken identity or poor investigation.
• Excessive force during minor incidents: Routine traffic stops or mental health calls that turn deadly due to overreaction.
• Racial profiling: Disproportionate use of deadly force against people of color.
• Improper training: Officers not trained to recognize mental health crises or handle stressful encounters without violence.

Each of these situations represents more than negligence — they often represent a breach of the Constitution itself.

What Families Experience After a Police Shooting

The aftermath of a police shooting is devastating. Families are often left in the dark, facing conflicting reports, uncooperative agencies, and public narratives that attempt to justify the unjustifiable.

Key challenges include:

• Delayed investigations by police departments or district attorneys.
• Lack of transparency in releasing body camera footage.
• Intimidation or retaliation against witnesses or family advocates.
• Emotional and financial hardship from losing a loved one suddenly and unjustly.

For many families, pursuing a civil rights case becomes the only way to uncover the truth and ensure accountability.

How an Experienced Civil Rights Attorney Can Help

Police shooting cases are some of the most challenging and emotionally charged cases in the justice system. They require deep legal knowledge, extensive investigation, and the courage to stand up to powerful institutions.

A skilled attorney can:

• Investigate independently to uncover what really happened.
• Obtain and analyze body camera footage, radio transmissions, and forensic evidence.
• Retain expert witnesses in law enforcement practices, forensics, and use-of-force standards.
• File a civil rights lawsuit under §1983 and the Bane Act.
• Seek justice through trial when agencies refuse to take responsibility.

Having an attorney like Christian Contreras, who has successfully tried multiple police shooting cases before juries, makes a significant difference in the outcome.

Notable Results and Proven Trial Experience

Christian Contreras is widely recognized as one of California’s leading civil rights trial attorneys. His record of success speaks for itself:

• $6,000,000 jury verdict in a police shooting case — a zero-offer case where the agency refused to accept fault.
• $1,035,000 jury verdict in another police shooting case — again, no pretrial offer was made.

These victories were achieved through relentless advocacy, deep investigation, and a willingness to take cases to trial when others would settle.

As a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and a recognized expert in civil rights, Christian Contreras brings both courtroom skill and moral conviction to every case he handles.

The Broader Impact: Police Accountability and Reform

Civil rights litigation does more than compensate victims — it drives policy reform and forces departments to confront their failures. Successful cases can lead to:

• Revised use-of-force policies and training programs.
• Implementation of de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques.
• Body camera and transparency policies that protect the public.
• Greater oversight and accountability within police departments.

Every verdict sends a powerful message: no one is above the law, and victims of police violence deserve justice.

What to Do If Your Loved One Was Killed by Police

If your family has experienced a police shooting, time is critical. Key steps include:

1. Document everything — names, dates, witnesses, and all interactions with law enforcement.
2. Do not speak to investigators without legal representation.
3. Contact a civil rights attorney immediately to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
4. Avoid public statements until you’ve spoken with your lawyer.
5. Seek support — emotionally, legally, and through community organizations.

The right attorney can ensure that evidence is secured, records are preserved, and your voice is heard in court.

Why Families Choose the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC

The Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC has been recognized by the Daily Journal as a Top Boutique Law Firm in California for its exceptional work in civil rights and wrongful death cases.

Christian and his team are known for:

• Compassionate client representation
• Deep knowledge of constitutional law
• Proven trial results
• Commitment to community justice and reform

When facing a powerful institution like a police department, you need a lawyer who won’t back down — and who has a track record of winning.

Justice, Accountability, and Hope

Police shootings are not just statistics — they represent real people, families, and communities forever changed by violence that could have been prevented. Through relentless advocacy, the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC helps families turn grief into justice and pain into purpose.

Conclusion: Turning Tragedy Into Change

Every police shooting leaves behind more than a victim — it leaves a family searching for truth, a community demanding accountability, and a system in need of reform. Justice in these cases is not automatic; it is fought for, step by step, through courage and perseverance.

At the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC, we believe that holding law enforcement accountable is essential to restoring faith in justice and protecting the rights of all Californians. Our firm stands with families who refuse to be silenced, who demand answers, and who seek real change after devastating loss.

Through dedicated advocacy and proven trial success, Christian Contreras and his team help families transform grief into power — ensuring that every life taken unjustly leaves behind a legacy of reform and accountability.

If your loved one has been the victim of a police shooting, you are not alone. Contact the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC today for a confidential consultation. Together, we can fight for justice, demand accountability, and help build a safer, fairer California for all.