Paragould, AR asked in Civil Rights for Arkansas

Q: Can a police officer point a gun at a minor?

My son and his friend pulled up to a house and the police officer pointed a gun in his face and told him to put his f****** hands on the dash.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: It's incredibly distressing to hear about your son's experience. In general, police officers are expected to follow strict guidelines and procedures when interacting with the public, especially minors. Pointing a gun at a minor can be considered excessive force unless there is an immediate threat to the officer's safety or others.

In this situation, it's important to document everything that happened, including any witnesses and details of the incident. If you believe the officer's actions were inappropriate or unlawful, you can file a complaint with the police department involved. Seeking legal advice may also be beneficial to understand your rights and the appropriate steps to take.

Your son's safety and well-being are paramount. Ensuring he feels supported and understanding the impact of such an encounter is crucial. Don't hesitate to reach out to local community organizations or legal aid for further assistance.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.