Howard is quoted throughout this article published by Super Lawyers: How To Sue If You're Assaulted By Police Or Prison Guards; Your Civil Rights When It Comes To Police Brutality In Massachusetts.
The article discusses what you need to prove in order to bring a police misconduct lawsuit under Section 1983, the federal civil rights act. Howard describes some of the legal advantages of this civil rights law. He explains the importance of showing that a police officer’s unconstitutional actions are caused by a policy or custom of their employer, the city.
The article describes some of the hurdles in police misconduct and prisoners’ right cases, such as the Prison Litigation Reform Act, which severely limits a person’s ability to bring a case while they are incarcerated, and the doctrine of Qualified Immunity, which can be used to defeat civil rights claims such as police brutality.
The article sums up what you can do to protect your rights: 1) Get any necessary medical attention. 2) Secure and organize all relevant evidence, and 3) Contact a Massachusetts Civil Rights Attorney.