San Francisco Police Brutality Lawyer
Experiencing harm or a violation of your constitutional rights at the hands of law enforcement can be deeply traumatic. Filing a civil rights lawsuit can help you hold officers accountable and seek compensation for the injuries you’ve suffered.
Attorneys that work with Police Brutality Center may be able to assist you.
Content Last Updated: April 2, 2026
The Police Scorecard, a project from criminal justice reform group Campaign Zero, gives the San Francisco Police Department an overall rating of 31 out of 100, indicating significant challenges in police violence and accountability compared to other departments. Police Brutality Center connects victims with skilled police brutality lawyers who will fight for your rights and help you seek both compensation and accountability. 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 San Francisco Police Brutality Lawyer Can Help You
If police misconduct has affected you, a San Francisco 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: A lawyer can help you submit complaints to police internal affairs, the California Civil Rights Department, the Department of Police Accountability, and other relevant agencies to ensure your concerns are heard.
- Filing federal civil rights lawsuits: You may be entitled to take action 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 counter legal tactics and 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 San Francisco
Navigating a civil rights claim in San Francisco requires careful attention 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.
- Document everything: Keep detailed records of the incident. Photos, witness statements, and medical reports all strengthen your case.
- Report police misconduct: Submit complaints directly to the department or agency involved, and consider reporting to relevant agencies such as the California Civil Rights Department.
- 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.
- Initiate a lawsuit: Your attorney can help you formally file a lawsuit seeking justice and compensation for the harm you endured.
Statute of Limitations for Police Brutality Cases in San Francisco
Each state sets its own deadline, or statute of limitations, for filing a federal civil rights lawsuit. In California, the statute of limitations for filing a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim is typically two years from the date of the incident. Missing this deadline can result in your case being dismissed.
Under the California Tort Claims Act, you must file an administrative claim within six months of the injury. If your claim is denied, you may file a lawsuit within six months after the denial is mailed.
An experienced California police brutality lawyer can guide you through the process and ensure your claim is filed properly and on time.
Common Types of Compensation in Police Misconduct Cases
In a police brutality and misconduct claim, the following damages are generally recoverable:
- Economic damages: These cover 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: These account for the personal impact of misconduct, such as physical pain, impairment, disfigurement, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship.
In federal civil rights cases, a court may award punitive damages if the defendant acted with malicious intent or reckless disregard for constitutional rights. State claims filed under the California Tort Claims Act are not eligible for punitive damages.
Settlements for Police Brutality Cases in San Francisco
Most police misconduct cases are resolved through settlements rather than going to trial. During negotiations, lawyers work to obtain compensation for injuries, medical costs, and the broader impact of the incident. The amount and terms of a settlement depend on the details of each case.
Examples of police brutality settlements in San Francisco include:
- $13.1 million settlement paid to Jamal Rashid Trulove over allegations that police suppressed and fabricated evidence, leading to his wrongful conviction and imprisonment
- $2.5 million settlement paid to the family of Keita O’Neil, who was fatally shot during a police chase in December 2017
- $700,000 settlement paid to Dacari Spiers following a 2019 incident in which an officer beat him, causing broken bones
The independent news outlet Mission Local reported that San Francisco settled approximately 1,750 lawsuits involving law enforcement officers and other related staff between 2010 and May 2023. Those settlements reportedly cost roughly $70 million, plus legal fees.
Police Misconduct and Civil Rights Laws in San Francisco
Police misconduct in San Francisco occurs when a law enforcement officer, acting or claiming to act in their official capacity, violates a person’s constitutional rights. Misconduct includes the use of excessive force, racial profiling, false arrests or detentions, abuse during protests, wrongful convictions, and deaths caused by unlawful officer actions.
Under Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1871, individuals can hold government employees and officials personally liable for violating their constitutional rights.
Meanwhile, the California Tort Claims Act is a state law that provides another avenue to pursue accountability. However, this option involves additional administrative steps and tighter deadlines than claims under the federal civil rights law.
Other California Police Misconduct Laws
Below are other California state laws concerning police brutality and misconduct:
- California Bane Act, Civil Code § 52.1: Police may be sued for misconduct—including threats, intimidation, or coercion—that interfere with constitutional rights.
- California Act to Save Lives, A.B. 392: This law changed the standard for using deadly force from “reasonable” to “necessary,” meaning such force can only be used when no other options are available.
- Police Misconduct Transparency Laws, B. 1421 and S.B. 16: These laws mandate public access to records concerning officer-involved shootings, severe force, sexual assault, and more.
History of Police Brutality in San Francisco
The San Francisco Police Department has a documented history of excessive force, prompting federal investigations and reforms.
Incidence of Violence and Use of Force by San Francisco Police
Police Scorecard data shows that between 2013 and 2023, police killed 29 people with the use of deadly force in San Francisco, amounting to approximately 1.8 deaths per 10,000 arrests. Meanwhile, the data shows that Black individuals were 8.1 times and Latinx residents 3.9 times more likely than white residents to be killed during police encounters.
Between 2016 and 2022, San Francisco citizens filed 4,712 complaints against officers. Of those, 7% were resolved in favor of the civilians. Fifty-two complaints involved the use of force, 174 alleged police discrimination, and 267 asserted crimes committed by police.
2016 DOJ Investigation on the San Francisco Police Department
In a 2016 report, the U.S. Department of Justice found significant deficiencies in the San Francisco Police Department. These include outdated use-of-force policies, racial disparities in traffic stops, and the disproportionate use of deadly force against Black individuals. The report noted that nine of 11 deadly force incidents between May 2013 and May 2016 involved people of color.
The Department of Justice recommended several changes, including increasing transparency about officer-involved shooting outcomes, modernizing the use-of-force incident log to allow real-time reporting, improving training, and updating policies to address systemic issues.
Reported Police Brutality Cases in San Francisco
Reported incidents of police brutality in San Francisco provide insight into patterns of misconduct and their lasting effects on civilians. Some recent cases that made headlines include the following:
Mario Woods Wrongful Death
In 2019, the city of San Francisco agreed to a $400,000 settlement to resolve a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the family of Mario Woods. The family claimed that police unjustifiably used deadly force during the encounter with the 26-year-old.
Police were responding to a report of a stabbing when they reportedly encountered Woods carrying a knife. Officers first fired bean bag rounds after he refused to drop the knife. When he still did not comply, five officers allegedly shot Woods, striking him multiple times in the back and killing him.
Racial Bias, Excessive Force Lawsuit
In 2015, Travis Hall filed a federal lawsuit against the San Francisco Police Department, claiming that plainclothes officers assaulted him while a friend was dropping him off at home. According to news reports, the officers aggressively questioned Hall and three others about their activities that evening. Despite repeated questions about why they were being detained, the officers did not respond. Hall attempted to call his mother when an officer pulled him from the rear passenger seat of the car.
Hall’s attorneys said the police had no probable cause to approach the car or detain its occupants. Officers allegedly forced Hall to the ground, held his arms behind his back, and repeatedly kicked and punched him, causing a concussion and other injuries. The city settled the lawsuit for $40,000.
Contact an Experienced San Francisco Police Brutality Lawyer
Police Brutality Center is committed to helping victims of police misconduct. We proudly partner with Alex Straus, Chair of the Civil Rights Department at Milberg PLLC, and Solomon Radner at Radner Law Group to seek justice for victims of civil rights abuses. Our legal partners work on a contingency fee basis so that you can take your first steps toward justice without any financial risk.
Don’t wait to get legal help. Contact Police Brutality Center today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.