If your civil rights were violated by a police officer, sheriff’s deputy, or other government official, you may feel powerless and traumatized — but help is available. Carcione, Henderson & Markowitz, LLP stands up for victims of police brutality, wrongful imprisonment and wrongful conviction, unlawful search and seizure, and other serious injustices. For more than 40 years, our aggressive and knowledgeable attorneys have helped injured Californians hold bad actors accountable.
As seasoned San Mateo civil rights attorneys, we take on a select number of cases to make sure every client receives one-on-one attention and our substantial legal resources. Our team understands civil rights litigation and its nuances, and our track record includes multimillion-dollar recoveries that compensate victims and help drive systemic change.
When you work with CHM Law Firm, you’ll get a dedicated legal advocate who listens to your story and fights relentlessly for justice. We’re here to help you reclaim your future and your dignity. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Why You Should Hire a San Mateo Civil Rights Attorney
When your civil rights have been violated by law enforcement or a government agency, you need a legal team who can stand up to powerful institutions. Fighting against government agencies and law enforcement can be intimidating, but you deserve compensation for your losses and ongoing costs.
CHM Law Firm’s civil rights attorneys bring four decades of experience and a fierce commitment to justice to every case we handle. Here’s why choosing us makes a difference:
- Decades of Experience – With deep know-how in complex injury and civil rights litigation, our attorneys know how to navigate even the most challenging cases. Our track record of landmark verdicts has secured justice for our clients and contributed to improved safety standards across California and beyond.
- Proven Strategies for Success – Our team is well-versed in both federal civil rights protections and relevant California statutes, enabling us to pursue every possible avenue for compensation. We build powerful cases using aggressive discovery tactics, qualified expert witnesses, and full courtroom preparedness. This negotiation strategy often results in stronger settlement offers.
- One-on-One Attention – CHM Law Firm intentionally limits our caseload to give each client the focused attention and resources they deserve. Our attorneys take time to meet with you and your family to understand how injustices like police brutality, false arrest, discrimination, or wrongful imprisonment have affected your life emotionally, financially, and physically.
- No Upfront Costs – Many people worry that they can’t afford a lawyer for their civil rights claim. That’s why we offer contingency-fee representation, in which you owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. We do this so that anyone who has suffered a civil rights violation can seek justice, regardless of their financial circumstances.
When you work with us, you’ll get an experienced legal team who’s committed to your best possible outcome. Reach out today to learn more about your legal options.
What Are Instances of Civil Rights Violation Cases?
The U.S. Constitution and California law protect civil liberties, and there are many types of civil rights violations. A San Mateo civil rights lawyer from CHM Law Firm can help you pursue accountability for the following violations:
Discrimination
Unequal treatment based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability is a direct violation of your civil rights. Discriminatory acts often occur during interactions with police officers or while attempting to access public accommodations and services. We work to hold individual actors and institutions accountable for their misconduct.
Police and Government Misconduct
Abuses of power by police officers, sheriff’s deputies, jailers, and other government officials often have devastating consequences. Whether you’ve experienced a due process denial or egregious treatment while in custody, our tenacious attorneys can challenge misconduct and demand reform.
Police Brutality
The use of excessive or deadly force typically includes unjustified shootings, taser abuse, K-9 attacks, chokeholds, baton strikes, and other unlawful actions. If you or a loved one have been the victim of police brutality, you may be dealing with the fallout from serious injury or a loved one’s death. CHM Law Firm can investigate every detail to pursue full accountability.
Sexual or Physical Assault
Any non-consensual sexual contact or physical assault by a law enforcement officer, correctional staff, or other official acting “under the color of law” is a severe violation of your civil rights. We are dedicated to helping survivors pursue justice and compensation through aggressive legal action.
Wrongful Imprisonment
Holding a person in jail without legal justification, especially for extended periods, isn’t just unjust – it’s unlawful. If you’ve been subjected to prolonged detention without charges or proper legal process, CHM Law Firm will work tirelessly to defend your rights and seek accountability.
False Arrest or Imprisonment
Being arrested without probable cause, a valid warrant, or any legitimate legal basis is a violation of your Fourth Amendment protections. False arrest and imprisonment cases often stem from racial profiling and retaliatory police behavior. Our attorneys leverage our knowledge and experience to expose these abuses and demand restitution for the harm you’ve suffered.
Unlawful Search and Seizure
When law enforcement enters your home without a warrant, conducts invasive body or vehicle searches, or seizes property without justification, they’ve likely violated your Constitutional rights. We have extensive experience challenging illegal searches and advocating for the return of unlawfully seized assets to their rightful owners.
Wrongful Conviction
Wrongful convictions happen more than people realize. Being convicted of a crime — whether due to fabricated evidence, a coerced confession, Brady violations (the suppression of exculpatory evidence), or another reason — is a grave injustice that can steal years of your life. CHM Law Firm works with forensic experts, appellate attorneys, and investigators to investigate and seek relief.
If you’re unsure whether you’ve been a victim of a civil rights violation or if we can handle your type of case, contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation case review. We can assess your situation and explain your legal options to you.
What Compensation Could You Pursue in a Civil Rights Violation Lawsuit?
When your civil rights are violated, that harm isn’t just emotional. Civil rights violations often result in real financial, physical, and psychological damage that can haunt you for the rest of your life. That’s where we at CHM Law Firm come in. Our experienced civil rights attorneys can investigate your claim, evaluate all potential types of compensation available, and fight for a fair outcome.
Common types of damages for civil rights violations include the following:
- Economic Damages – This compensation covers financial losses. For example, if you incurred medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, mental health treatment, lost wages, or the loss of future earning capacity as a result of a civil rights violation, our firm can fight to obtain compensation for past, present, and ongoing losses. These damages help restore your financial stability and improve your access to necessary care.
- Non-Economic Damages – Non-economic damages compensate for intangible impacts, the sort of losses that don’t come with a fixed financial value. This includes things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, humiliation, and the loss of enjoyment of life — the everyday experiences and peace of mind that were taken from you.
- Punitive Damages – While relatively rare, juries can award punitive damages in cases involving reckless or egregious misconduct. These are not tied to your losses but are designed to punish wrongdoing and deter future violations by government actors or institutions. Depending on the unique facts of your case, you may be entitled to these damages.
- Attorney’s Fees and Litigation Costs: Under 42 U.S.C. § 1988, you may be entitled to attorney’s fees and litigation costs if you win your claim.
- Injunctive and Declaratory Relief: Finally, injunctive or declaratory relief may be available, allowing courts to issue orders that change police policies, mandate new training, or forbid further violations.
To learn more about what kind of compensation you may be entitled to, contact our firm today.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Civil Rights Violation Lawsuit in California?
Both California and federal civil rights cases are subject to strict filing deadlines — and they can pass by sooner than you might think. If you miss a deadline, your ability to file a claim could be jeopardized.
- Federal claims brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 generally are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. This means you typically have two years from the date of the violation to file your lawsuit in federal court.
- When suing a California state or local agency under the California Tort Claims Act, you must first file an administrative claim within six months of the incident. If your claim is denied, you have six months from the date of the denial letter or two years from the date of the violation, whichever is earlier, to file a civil lawsuit.
- If you are seeking damages under the Wrongful Conviction Compensation Act, you must file a claim within 10 years of receiving a pardon, dismissal, or reversal of your conviction.
- California’s Bane Act also provides civil remedies when someone interferes with your Constitutional or statutory rights through threats, intimidation, or coercion. These claims are subject to the two-year statute of limitations.
In some cases, other rules may extend your deadline, but the sooner you contact CHM Law Firm, the better. A knowledgeable attorney can evaluate your case and see that every filing is done correctly and on time.
