Hello, my name is David Dekle, and I am a personal injury attorney practicing throughout Georgia. Over the years, I have handled my share of civil rights cases mostly involving prisoners and detainees. Some have been my most interesting cases and most challenging as well.
From time to time, we inter-act with government officials and others who act under color of state law authority. These cases often provide relief for wrongs even though state actors may otherwise be protected by sovereign immunity or official immunity under state law. It may be a police officer, a City Council, or other public or government official. People who are detained or are incarcerated encounter prison guards and medical officials.
State Actors are prohibited from violating our constitutional rights. Such rights include the right to privacy, the right against cruel and unusual punishment, the right to life, liberty, and property, and so on. Individuals who are detained or incarcerated retain their constitutional right to be free from excessive force and to receive medical care for their serious medical needs. Federal law provides a cause of action for damages and attorneys fees when your rights have been violated. One such statute is 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Of course, an enumerated constitutional right must be in play. And there must be causation and damages.
If you feel your constitutional rights have been violated, you should consult with an attorney knowledgeable in Civil Rights lawsuits. You may have recourse.
–David P. Dekle on the web at DavidDeklelaw.com
