Nevada Police Brutality Lawyer
Nevada has faced ongoing challenges with police misconduct, including incidents of excessive force that have led to lawsuits and demands for accountability. Police Scorecard, a project from criminal justice reform group Campaign Zero, reports that 199 people were killed by law enforcement actions in Nevada from 2013 to 2023.
Attorneys that work with Police Brutality Center may be able to assist you.
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Content Last Updated: March 26, 2026
If you or a loved one has experienced police brutality, filing a civil rights lawsuit can help hold officers accountable and seek compensation for the harm suffered. At Police Brutality Center, we connect victims and families with skilled police brutality lawyers who will fight for your rights and help you seek compensation and justice. Our legal partners work on a contingency-fee basis and provide free consultations. Contact us today to take the first step toward justice.
How a Nevada Police Brutality Lawyer Can Help You
If police misconduct has affected you, a Nevada civil rights attorney can provide guidance, protect your rights, and help you take action. Key ways they support you include:
- Case evaluation: A lawyer will listen carefully to your experience and advise you of your legal options.
- Evidence collection: A lawyer will investigate and gather body camera footage, dash cam video, witness statements, and medical records to support your claim.
- Filing complaints: An attorney can help you submit complaints to the police internal affairs unit, the California Civil Rights Department, the Department of Police Accountability, and other relevant administrative agencies.
- Filing federal civil rights lawsuits: You may be entitled to file a federal lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to hold officers or agencies accountable for rights violations and wrongful deaths.
- Fight back against police immunity: An experienced civil rights attorney can prepare and implement a legal strategy to overcome defenses that seek to shield officers from accountability.
- Settlement negotiations: A skilled lawyer will negotiate for a settlement that fully and fairly compensates you for your losses
- Litigation and trial: A civil rights attorney will litigate your case and, if necessary, take your case to trial and advocate for your best interests.
Connect With Our Experienced Attorneys
Police Brutality Center is proud to partner with Alex Straus, Chair of the Civil Rights Department at Milberg PLLC, and Solomon Radner at Radner Law Group to help victims of civil rights abuses.
Filing a Civil Rights Claim in Nevada
Navigating a civil rights claim in Nevada requires careful attention to the details and timely action. To protect your rights and build a strong case, start with these essential steps:
- Seek immediate medical attention: Getting care right away is crucial for your health and safety. Prompt treatment can prevent complications and create clear documentation of injuries that supports your case.
- Get legal help: An attorney can guide you through the process, ensure your lawsuit is filed on time, and help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve.
- Report police misconduct: Submit complaints directly to the department or agency involved, and consider reporting to relevant agencies such as the Nevada Attorney General’s Office.
- Document everything: Keep detailed records of the incident. Photos, witness statements, and medical reports all strengthen your case.
- Initiate a lawsuit: Your attorney can file a lawsuit and litigate your case to seek justice and compensation for the harm you’ve endured.
Nevada’s Statute of Limitations for Civil Rights Claims
Each state sets its own deadline, or statute of limitations, for filing a Section 1983 civil rights claim. In Nevada, victims generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. If the victim was a minor at the time of the incident, the clock doesn’t start until they turn 18. Missing this deadline can result in the dismissal of your case.
Compensation Available in a Nevada Police Brutality Lawsuit
In a police brutality or misconduct claim, you can generally pursue compensation for the following damages:
- Economic damages: Covers measurable financial losses such as medical bills, lost wages, reduced future earning potential, financial support lost due to a family member’s death, and funeral expenses.
- Non-economic damages: Accounts for the personal impact of misconduct, such as emotional pain, physical impairment, disfigurement, disruption to daily life, and loss of companionship.
The amount of compensation recoverable often depends on the severity of the injuries, the strength of evidence, the long-term impact on the victim’s life, and applicable laws.
In some cases, a court may award punitive damages when there is clear and convincing evidence that the officer’s actions were malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent. These damages aim to punish the misconduct and help deter it in the future.
Compensation Available in a Nevada Police Brutality Lawsuit
Most police misconduct cases are resolved through settlement, although some proceed to a jury trial. Examples of recent police brutality settlements and verdicts in Nevada include the following:
- $34 million verdict awarded to Kirstin Blaise Lobato, who was wrongfully convicted of a 2001 murder and spent nearly 16 years in prison
- $6 million settlement for the family of Christian Walker, a 44-year-old inmate who died two days after officers allegedly beat him
- $250,000 settlement for Rebecca Gasca, who police shot with rubber bullets while working as a legal observer at a 2020 protest
Police Misconduct and Civil Rights Laws in Nevada
Police misconduct occurs when a law enforcement officer, acting or claiming to act in their official capacity, violates a person’s constitutional rights. Such violations include the use of excessive force, racial profiling, false arrests or detentions, and wrongful deaths.
Federal law under Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1871 allows individuals to hold government employees and officials personally liable for violating their constitutional rights, including:
Police Violence and Federal Use-of-Force Investigations in Nevada
Police Scorecard reports that 199 people were killed by law enforcement officers between 2013 and 2023, indicating a pattern of deadly force. These numbers show that there are 1.5 deaths per 10,000 arrests across the state, which is more killings by police per arrest than 65% of other states.
Between 2016 and 2022, civilians filed 4,342 complaints against the police. Of these, 112 involved use of force, 38 alleged discrimination, and 15 accused officers of committing crimes. Outcomes favored civilians in only 7% of use-of-force cases, 3% of discrimination complaints, and 13% of complaints involving alleged crimes.
Federal Investigation of Las Vegas Metro Police Use of Force Policies and Practices
In 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice completed an eight-month review of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s use-of-force policies and practices. The probe was requested by the police department after a series of police-involved shootings in 2011.
After examining officer behavior, reporting practices, investigations of shootings, and overall training, the review identified 75 areas for improvement, from clarifying the use-of-force policies and improving documentation to modernizing training and oversight procedures. The report also recommended adopting new technology, such as body-worn cameras, and updating tactics for multi-officer responses.
Notable Police Brutality Cases in Nevada
Reports of police brutality provide insight into patterns of misconduct and their lasting effects on civilians. Below are some notable Nevada cases:
The Killing of Tashii Brown
In July 2020, the Las Vegas Police Department agreed to pay $2.2 million to settle a lawsuit brought on behalf of the children of Tashii Brown. According to reports, Brown died in May 2017 after he was punched, tased, and put in a neck restraint by a Las Vegas police officer outside of a casino. The officer, Kenneth Leopera, was reportedly fired for violating use-of-force policies. He also faced criminal charges related to the incident, but they were dropped in 2018.
Jorge Gomez Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In November 2025, a jury awarded $6.5 million to the family of Jorge Gomez, finding that two Las Vegas Metropolitan police officers are liable for his wrongful death in 2020. Reports say Gomez was shot outside the federal courthouse as a Black Lives Matter demonstration in downtown was ending.
Contact an Experienced Nevada Police Brutality Lawyer
If you or a loved one has experienced police brutality in Nevada, legal help is available. Police Brutality Center proudly partners with Alex Straus, Chair of the Civil Rights Department at Milberg PLLC, and Solomon Radner at Radner Law Group to help victims of civil rights abuses.
Our legal partners work on a contingency fee basis and offer free consultations. You can take your first steps toward justice without worrying about financial risk.
Contact Police Brutality Center today to learn more about your legal options.