Category Archives: Police Misconduct
How Does Section 1983 Help Protect Civil Rights?
Today we will discuss an important concept in federal civil rights litigation – a statute commonly referred to as “Section 1983.” Officially codified as 42 U.S.C. 1983, this statute provides a mechanism through which victims can bring private lawsuits for certain civil rights violations, including, among other things, police misconduct cases (including claims of… Read More »
DOJ Declines to Press Criminal Civil Rights Charges in Freddie Gray Case
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to press criminal civil rights charges against the six Baltimore police officers involved in Freddie Gray’s death, according to the DOJ’s official press release. In that press release, the DOJ outlined their investigatory findings and conclusions concerning the allegations of police misconduct. In terms of background, Baltimore… Read More »
Police Misconduct Scandal Raging in Baltimore
After two separate body camera videos surfaced this summer – seeming to show Baltimore officers engaged in police misconduct by planting of evidence – authorities are questioning the validity of certain criminal cases, according to an article by NPR. In one video, a Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officer appears to plant illegal drugs in… Read More »
United Passenger Had Broken His nose, lost teeth, will ‘probably’ sue, his lawyer says
April 13–The United Airlines passenger dragged from a plane Sunday April 9, will require reconstructive surgery and the incident will “probably” result in a lawsuit, his attorney said Thursday. David Dao suffered a significant concussion, a broken nose, a sinus injury and lost two front teeth, his attorney, Thomas Demetrio, said at a news… Read More »
Guilty Verdict for Two Correctional Officers in Inmate Beat Down
For Immediate Release 4/7/2016 Two Correctional Officers were found guilty of several offenses related to an attack on half a dozen inmates at the Maryland Reception Diagnostic and Classification Center (MRDCC) in Baltimore, Maryland. After trial, Sergeant Kwai Ramsey and Sergeant Jemiah Green were convicted of two counts of second-degree assault and five counts… Read More »
Lawmakers need to take a hard look at the problem of officer misconduct.
At the end of a year in which allegations of police brutality have dominated headlines across the country, Maryland can no longer ignore the need for reform. Last week, Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake endorsed a series of policy changes to hold misbehaving officers more accountable, and a legislative work group in Annapolis is… Read More »
Judge rules Baltimore mayor had power to institute Curfew
BALTIMORE — A Baltimore judge Tuesday upheld the authority of the city’s mayor to declare a curfew. The ruling came as part of the case against Andy Schmidt, a man arrested for allegedly violating the 10 p.m. curfew on May 1. On that day, the same day criminal charges were filed against the six… Read More »
Police Riot Response review to begin This Week
A law enforcement research and advocacy group is set to begin its review Wednesday of the police response to the riots of April 27, officials said. Officials said the review by the Police Executive Research Forum, or PERF, will start with a roundtable discussion involving law enforcement agencies from across the region that assisted… Read More »
Judge Upholds Mayor’s Curfew Authority While Dismissing Charge
By Justin Fenton The Baltimore Sun Baltimore circuit judge upheld Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s authority to impose a curfew amid the unrest following the death of Freddie Gray, while dismissing a curfew violation charge against an Annapolis man arrested outside City Hall. Circuit Judge Paul Alpert determined that a curfew was within Rawlings-Blake’s powers as… Read More »
Former Prince George’s officer convicted of beating U-Md. student can clear record
Long before John McKenna enrolled at Catholic University law school, he learned how unpredictable the legal system can be. In March 2010, McKenna, then a junior at the University of Maryland, was beaten by two Prince George’s County police officers as he headed to a bar with his friend. One officer was acquitted and… Read More »
