Tulsa, Oklahoma Civil Rights Attorney

Being arrested, charged, and even being found guilty of a crime does not mean that you have surrender your constitutionally protected civil rights. As a criminal defense attorney, I work with people who have been arrested and charged with criminal offenses and who have been abused by police officers, prison guards, or others in the criminal courts system. Typically the arresting officers follow the law. However, too often police officers cross the line and violate a suspect’s civil liberties.

Working with my own private investigators, medical experts, and gathered evidence, I expose violations of civil rights and police misconduct. While there is a "blue code of silence" that often results in officers protecting each other—medical evidence, an officer's history of abuse, and eyewitness testimony can't be easily dismissed. As your lawyer, I cross-exam police officers and corrections officers, expose testimony that is inconsistent with my client's injuries, and hold officers accountable for their actions.

If you were physically abused or assaulted while in custody or during your arrest, contact civil rights attorney Joseph M. Norwood today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Skilled Civil Rights Attorney

The most common civil rights violations involve police brutality and police misconduct during or immediately following an arrest. However, racial profiling and racial discrimination that leads to an arrest is also a civil rights violation. Store security and private security offices typically have less training than police and may illegally detain someone based on racial stereotypes or a suspect's national origin.

The due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees people who are arrested will not be subject to excessive force during their detention. Civil rights laws also protect people who have been incarcerated. If someone in custody needs medical treatment denial or delaying that treatment many constitute a civil rights violation.

The most common civil rights violations stem from:

Police Misconduct
Excessive Force and Police Brutality
False Arrest and Imprisonment
National Origin Discrimination
Racial Discrimination
Disability Discrimination
Picked Up On Bogus Child Support Charge

My first priority in any criminal defense is protecting my client’s interests, including protecting them from civil rights violations by the police and minimizing any consequences of a criminal charge against my client.

Establishing Evidence of Civil Rights Violations

Pepper Spray and Stun Guns: Civil rights violations include unnecessary physical force, beatings, and depriving prisoners of certain protections and rights. More and more, police are using pepper spray and stun guns in situations where there simply isn't a good reason to do so. Documenting excessive force regarding pepper spray included eyewitness testimony, reviewing available video footage, and looking at any pertinent medical evidence, In the case of Tasers, most stun guns have a chip inside that records when and how many discharges were administered. By reviewing information on a stun gun chip, as well as testimony regarding the actions of officers, I can often determine if excessive force was used involving a stun gun.
Misuse of Canine Units: Police have a responsibility to prevent police dogs from mauling suspects. When a suspect is apprehended and does not pose a threat to others after being subdued by a police dog, officers are required to keep their dog under control. If you were mauled by a police after being subdued or while handcuffed, I will investigate the actions of officers and demand compensation for your injuries.
Police Brutality: Once in custody, there are a number of methods used to abuse prisoners while minimizing the evidence of doing so. Police may use a phone book to beat a prisoner in order to avoid causing external bruises; they may use a baton to hit a prisoner on the back of his or her legs behind the knees for a similar reason; lastly, officers may simply look the other way while other prisoners assault or rape an inmate.

Contact an Experienced Tulsa Criminal Defense Lawyer

Please contact civil rights attorney Joseph M. Norwood if you, a friend, or a member of your family needs an experienced Tulsa criminal defense attorney. I represent clients from throughout the Tulsa metropolitan area and northeast Oklahoma.