Police are supposed to protect and serve, but that doesn’t always happen. Sadly, officers sometimes overstep their bounds and use excessive force that can result in serious injury or even death. When this happens, you need an experienced police brutality attorney on your side to fight back and defend your rights.
At Budge & Heipt, our Law firm specializing in Seattle police brutality and misconduct cases has a long history of representing victims. We work closely with forensic investigators, medical specialists, law enforcement experts and others to uncover the truth about what really happened and why an officer used excessive force. We have obtained numerous multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of wrongful death victims and those seriously injured by police brutality and abuse.
In the past year, it’s become increasingly clear that Seattle police have reverted to their worst habits in the glare of public scrutiny. With a federal consent decree looming, a new civil rights movement and the City’s contract with the police union about to expire, Seattle cops couldn’t seem to rise above their institutional raison d’etre. Instead, high-ranking officers openly laugh about the unjust killing of a young woman while the Seattle police union prioritizes pay over ending this violence.
The Seattle police department said it learned about the recording from an employee who listened to it in the “routine course of business” and “concerned about the nature of the statements.” That person reported the matter through their chain of command as required by department policy. The police chief then referred the case to the police department’s accountability office, which is investigating the incident and determining whether any policies were violated.
It is not uncommon for police departments to take a while to complete internal investigations of incidents involving police misconduct, and they often rely on “expert” testimony that can be challenged in court. These experts can have a significant impact on how a jury perceives an officer’s actions and their reasonableness. We have successfully challenged expert testimony and won substantial financial compensation for our clients in these cases.
Some people assume that if a police agency conducts an investigation and finds an officer did nothing wrong, that this automatically prevents a victim from filing a civil rights lawsuit. That is false. At Budge & Heipt, we have sued-and won-even after an internal investigation has found that an officer did not engage in misconduct. We have also successfully sued when an internal investigation has failed to interview crucial witnesses, conduct a thorough forensic analysis, or otherwise evaluate the evidence. Contact us today to speak with an experienced lawyer about your case. Our attorneys are available for free initial consultations. We offer convenient meeting locations in downtown Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma. We handle cases throughout Washington state and nationwide. We are also available to travel to meet with you, if necessary. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email our firm.