Detroit Police Brutality and Civil Rights Lawyer
Police brutality has had a lasting impact on Detroit. Despite public outrage over notable incidents and efforts to address misconduct, many residents continue to experience police violence. Police Brutality Center provides resources, support, and guidance to victims of police misconduct. We may also be able to connect you with a Detroit police brutality and civil rights lawyer to help you pursue justice for the wrongs committed against you and your family.
Were you or a loved one a victim of police brutality?
Attorneys that work with Police Brutality Center may be able to assist you.
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Content Last Updated: December 4, 2025
Were You or a Loved One a Victim of Police Brutality?
Although the city has taken some important measures to curb police brutality in Detroit, it remains a significant concern for much of the community. Numerous incidents over the years urgently highlight the need for justice and accountability in Detroit’s police force.
Victims and their families grapple with these incidents’ physical, emotional, and legal aftermath. Seeking answers and justice in a system that has faced the same challenges for decades can feel hopeless, but we can help you seek justice.
Police Brutality Center understands the difficulties police misconduct cases pose and the challenges you face as a victim. We are committed to providing information and resources and connecting you with Detroit police brutality lawyers who can assist you.
Why Work With a Police Brutality Lawyer in Detroit?
The effects of police brutality can be both physical and emotional, and the legal process can feel overwhelming. A Detroit police brutality and civil rights lawyer can provide essential support by:
- Advising you of your civil rights: A skilled lawyer knows Michigan’s civil rights laws and how to protect your rights.
- Conducting complex investigations: Police brutality cases often involve detailed investigations. Lawyers can access resources such as private investigators and forensic experts to review reports, examine video footage, and question witnesses to bolster your case.
- Negotiating settlements: While some cases go to trial, many are resolved out of court. A seasoned Detroit police brutality lawyer can negotiate for a fair outcome.
- Filing suit and litigating your case: A police brutality and civil rights lawyer can handle all the legal details for you, file the necessary paperwork, ensure you meet key deadlines, represent you in court proceedings, and advocate for you throughout the process.
- Ensuring accountability: A Detroit police brutality lawyer can challenge misconduct, helping ensure authorities are held accountable and similar incidents are less likely to occur.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Civil Rights Cases in Michigan?
The statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing suit. Civil rights lawsuits are federal cases. However, federal laws do not specify a deadline. Instead, courts must follow the state laws governing these deadlines.
In Detroit and the rest of Michigan, the three-year statute of limitations applies in most cases. However, in rare cases, there may be exceptions.
Connect With an Experienced Police Brutality Lawyer
Police Brutality Center partners with nationally recognized trial attorney Solomon Radner of Radner Law Group, PLLC, to help victims of police misconduct across the United States. Attorney Radner has been honored as a Super Lawyer since 2014 and named among the Top 40 Under 40 trial attorneys by the National Trial Lawyers Association.
How Do I File a Civil Rights Claim in Detroit?
To file a civil rights claim in Detroit, follow these steps:
- Consult an attorney: A police brutality lawyer can confirm your claim's validity and guide you through the legal process.
- Determine the violation: Police misconduct can involve many types of violations. A lawyer can guide you in determining which ones are relevant to your claim.
- Gather evidence: Your attorney will investigate and collect evidence to strengthen your claim.
- File a complaint: Your lawyer will guide you through the process of filing your complaint with the correct authorities.
- Initiate your civil rights claim: Your attorney will submit your legal claim in Detroit using the proper channels and within the statute of limitations.
A civil rights claim is different from a complaint against a police officer or department. Claims are handled in civil court, while complaints are addressed internally by the department. Sometimes, pursuing both is recommended. Consult a police brutality and civil rights lawyer before taking action to develop the best legal strategy.
Notable Police Misconduct Cases
Detroit has a long list of incidents of police misconduct that reflect deeper, systemic issues. However, several cases stand out for their gravity and impact on Detroit and its people:
- Malice Green, a 35-year-old Black man, died after two white police officers repeatedly struck him with metal flashlights during a confrontation in 1992. Green, who did not fight back, was handcuffed before medical help arrived. He suffered a seizure and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. His death, which occurred about 18 months after the Rodney King beatings in Los Angeles, struck a chord with many throughout Detroit and the United States. Detroit settled the incident for $5.25 million.
- Aiyana Stanley-Jones, a 7-year-old Black girl, was asleep on a couch when a Detroit police officer’s bullet fatally struck her during a raid in 2010. Her death fueled public outrage and renewed calls for police reform and improved training for officers involved in high-risk operations. Detroit settled the case for $8.25 million.
- Terrance Kellom, a 20-year-old Black man, was fatally shot by a federal agent during a raid at his home in 2015. The incident prompted questions about the use of force and the accountability of federal agents. The agent involved was not charged in connection with Terrance’s death.
Examples of Detroit Police Misconduct Lawsuit Settlements
According to a 2018 WXYZ report, Detroit has spent roughly $19.1 million between 2015 and the report’s publication to settle police misconduct claims. That total includes cases that were delayed because of the city’s 2013 bankruptcy.
Some of the notable settlements include the following:
- $925,000 for a 44-year-old man shot in the back by police: Per WXYZ’s report, officers fired seven shots after the man allegedly raised what appeared to be a firearm, hitting him twice. An investigation later determined that the man’s firearm was a pellet gun.
- $225,000 for a couple whose three dogs were killed by police: In 2016, officers searched the couple’s home after seeing three potted marijuana plants in the backyard. According to the Detroit Metro Times, the couple allegedly showed officers paperwork proving they were licensed to grow marijuana. The dogs were behind an 8-foot fence, but police reportedly killed them before animal control arrived, only minutes later.
- $380,000 for a man wrongfully arrested for robbery: The man spent 16 days in jail before being cleared, according to a 2013 USA Today report. His case was among those delayed by the city’s bankruptcy.
Police Misconduct Laws in Detroit
Several federal, state, and local laws are designed to curb police misconduct in Detroit. They include the following:
- Excessive force: Detroit has official policies that define what constitutes excessive force and outline acceptable police behavior during public interactions, including arrests.
- Racial profiling and ethnic intimidation: Michigan law bans officers from targeting people because of race, ethnicity, or national origin. The law aims to promote fairness and equal treatment.
- Civil Rights: Federal law allows individuals whose civil rights have been violated to sue the government for damages under the Civil Rights Act of 1871, 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Despite these protections, challenges remain. Enforcement is inconsistent, and questions about transparency and accountability persist.
Police Misconduct Laws in Detroit
Detroit has proactively implemented certain police reforms and enacted measures to ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil rights. Among the reforms instituted by the city are the following:
- Chokeholds are banned.
- Police are prohibited from firing at, or from, a moving vehicle.
- Officers must report the use of excessive force.
Detroit Police Department Integrity Unit
The Integrity Unit is a division of the Detroit Police Department that investigates alleged misconduct by police officers and city employees. It recently faced scrutiny due to a bribery scandal involving its former head. Lieutenant John Kennedy was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison for his role in a bribery case involving a towing company.
This incident highlights some of the challenges in ensuring internal accountability within the Detroit police department.
Understand Your Rights From the Help of Police Brutality Center
The journey to justice against police brutality in Detroit is multifaceted. From filing your civil rights claim to recognizing challenges within the internal police units, it is clear that continuing efforts toward police reform are necessary.
People today still face injustice from Detroit’s police force. If you or a loved one have been the victim of police brutality, seeking legal justice may seem impossible. We can help. Experienced civil rights lawyers in Detroit are ready to help you win justice for yourself and your loved ones and work to strengthen Detroit’s laws to fight against police brutality so no more families need to suffer like yours.
If you need legal assistance for a police brutality case or need more information, we encourage you to get legal help.