Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Investigating Arrest That Went Viral—Allegations Of Police Brutality

According to a report from Yahoo News, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating an arrest that went viral amidst allegations of police brutality. The family reports that 24-year-old  Le’Keian Woods sustained serious injuries in the arrest. Here, our Florida civil rights attorney offers a more detailed overview of what we know about the allegations.

Allegations: Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Used Excessive Force in Arrest 

A disturbing incident recently occurred during an arrest in North Florida—specifically in Duval County. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is probing an arrest after a video surfaced on social media showing Le’Keian Woods, 24, in handcuffs with a bloodied face. The video—which, to be fair, does not have the full preceding context—does show several officers arresting Mr. Woods. He had been detained on charges like trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine while armed.

Mr. Woods has also subsequently been charged with the violent resistance of arrest. However, his family emphasizes that the event began as a simple traffic stop for not wearing a seatbelt. The family says that, post-handcuffs, the officers are seen forcefully pushing Mr. Woods to the ground, thereby causing serious injuries. 

What to Know Police Brutality Claims in Florida (Excessive Force During Arrests) 

The unfortunate reality is that police brutality remains a serious problem—both in Florida and throughout the United States more broadly. Excessive force during an arrest could constitute a federal civil rights violation. The victim—and any surviving family members—has a right to pursue a civil rights claim against the responsible law enforcement agency. This type of claim is often referred to simply as Section 1983 lawsuit.

A Section 1983 lawsuit now serves as the primary vehicle for civilians in the U.S. to challenge violations of their federal rights by state officials, including police officers. The primary aim of a Section 1983 lawsuit is to provide a remedy for the deprivation of civil rights under the “color of state law.” In other words, a Section 1983 claim allows police brutality victims to hold law enforcement officers legally liable for the violation of their rights.

Successful plaintiffs in a Section 1983 case can recover compensatory damages, which might include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In cases of egregious misconduct, punitive damages can also be awarded against individual defendants. As these are extremely complex cases, it is imperative that police brutality victims are represented by an experienced civil rights lawyer. 

Contact Our Florida Excessive Force Lawyer for Immediate Help

At The Baez Law Firm, our Florida civil rights attorney advocates strongly for justice for victims of police brutality. If you or your close loved one was the victim of excessive force during an arrest, we are more than ready to help. Call us now or contact us online to set up your completely confidential case evaluation. With law offices in Orlando and Miami, we represent victims and families in police brutality cases throughout Florida.

Source:

news.yahoo.com/jso-investigating-arrest-amidst-allegations-012511826.html