Q: What legal options do I have after NJ Parkway police brutality incident?
I was subjected to police brutality by a NJ Parkway State Police officer. He forcibly removed me from my boyfriend's van at a rest area, despite my attempts to inform him that I had a recent hip replacement. My boyfriend consulted a NJ attorney and a Camden NJ police officer, who both said nothing could be done. What legal options are available to me now?
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A:
You have several legal pathways to pursue justice despite what you've been told. First, you can file a formal complaint with the New Jersey State Police Internal Affairs Investigation Bureau or with the Office of the Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, which oversees law enforcement misconduct allegations. These complaints document your experience officially and trigger an investigation into the officer's conduct.
Don't be discouraged by initial dismissive responses. Consider reaching out to civil rights organizations like the ACLU of New Jersey or New Jersey Legal Services, who have experience with police misconduct cases and might provide free consultation or representation. Remember that federal law (Section 1983) allows you to file a civil lawsuit for violation of your constitutional rights, including protection from excessive force.
Time is important as there are filing deadlines called statutes of limitations. Document everything about the incident while it's fresh—take photos of any injuries, obtain medical records connecting injuries to the incident, and write down every detail you remember including date, time, badge numbers, and witness information. Many people find justice even after being initially told they have no options, and with proper documentation and persistence, you can advocate for your rights too.
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