When Police Use Excessive Force: Protecting Civil Rights in California

Police officers are entrusted with the power to enforce the law and protect the public. However, that power is not unlimited. When an officer uses more force than is necessary under the circumstances, it becomes excessive force, violating a person’s constitutional rights.

Examples of excessive force include:

• Shooting an unarmed individual
• Using tasers or batons on someone who is restrained
• Applying chokeholds or dangerous restraints
• Beating or assaulting someone during an arrest
• Failing to provide medical care after inflicting injuries

The Constitution, particularly the Fourth Amendment, protects individuals from unreasonable seizures, including excessive force. In California, victims have the right to hold officers and agencies accountable through civil rights litigation.

The Human Cost of Police Brutality

Excessive force often results in severe injuries, trauma, or even wrongful death. Families are left mourning loved ones who should still be alive. Survivors face long-term medical needs, emotional scars, and difficulty trusting authorities.

In recent years, California has seen numerous high-profile police shooting cases. These incidents have raised important questions about accountability, transparency, and the role of civil rights attorneys in securing justice.

Legal Protections Against Excessive Force

Victims of police misconduct have legal remedies under both federal and state law:

• 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Civil Rights Act): Allows individuals to sue government officials for violating constitutional rights.
• California Civil Code § 52.1 (Bane Act): Provides protection against interference with constitutional rights through threats, intimidation, or violence.
• California wrongful death laws: Allow families to recover damages when excessive force results in a fatality.

These laws not only help victims recover compensation but also push for systemic change to prevent future abuses.

Steps to Take if You Experience Excessive Force

If you or a loved one has been harmed by police misconduct, it’s critical to take action quickly:

1. Seek Medical Care – Your health and safety come first. Get immediate treatment for injuries.
2. Document Everything – Take photos of injuries, preserve clothing, and write down details of the incident.
3. Identify Witnesses – Obtain contact information of anyone who saw what happened.
4. Preserve Evidence – Save videos, recordings, and documents related to the event.
5. Contact a Civil Rights Attorney – Time limits apply to civil rights lawsuits. Early legal help ensures evidence is preserved and deadlines are met.

How a Civil Rights Attorney Helps

A skilled attorney can:

• Investigate the incident and uncover body camera footage or records
• File claims under state and federal law
• Hold police departments accountable for misconduct and inadequate training
• Pursue compensation for medical costs, lost income, emotional distress, and punitive damages
• Take cases to trial when agencies refuse to accept responsibility

Christian Contreras is recognized across California as a leading civil rights attorney who has successfully tried numerous excessive force cases, including multi-million-dollar verdicts in police shooting and jail death cases.

Notable Case Results

In 2025 alone, Christian Contreras secured:

• $6,000,000 jury verdict in a police shooting case (zero offer)
• $1,035,000 jury verdict in another police shooting case (zero offer)
• $3,300,000 jury verdict in a jail death case (zero offer)
• $8,500,000 settlement in a jail death case

These results demonstrate the firm’s commitment to achieving justice even when powerful institutions resist accountability.

Why Choose Christian Contreras

The Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC is one of California’s premier boutique civil rights firms, recognized by the Daily Journal in 2024 as a top boutique firm in the state. Christian is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and frequently contributes as a legal expert in major news outlets.

With experience in civil rights, wrongful death, police shootings, sexual abuse, jail deaths, and personal injury, the firm has the resources and trial expertise to take on the toughest cases against government entities.

Fighting for Justice and Change

Excessive force cases are not only about compensation—they are about demanding accountability and reform. By standing up against police misconduct, victims and their families play a crucial role in shaping safer, more just communities in California.

Protect Your Rights Today

If you or a loved one has been a victim of police brutality, don’t wait. Evidence disappears quickly, and strict deadlines apply to civil rights claims.

Contact the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, PLC today for a confidential consultation. Our team will fight tirelessly to protect your rights, seek justice, and demand accountability.