New York Police Brutality and Civil Rights Lawyer
Attorneys that work with Police Brutality Center may be able to assist you.
Content Last Updated: April 2, 2026
Police brutality and misconduct are pervasive issues across New York state, from New York City to Buffalo and beyond. According to data provided by Mapping Police Violence, police shot and killed 26 people in New York in 2025, and annual police-involved fatalities of varying causes have continued to increase year over year. If you or a loved one experienced police brutality in New York, a civil rights attorney can help.
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.
Why Choose A New York Police Brutality and Civil Rights Lawyer?
After experiencing police brutality, working with an attorney can significantly increase your odds of recovering compensation for the harm. New York police brutality and civil rights attorneys know the state’s laws surrounding police brutality and law enforcement misconduct and have experience with claims against various city and state police agencies.
An experienced New York attorney can investigate, gather evidence, and help you navigate the complexities of police misconduct claims, whether they involve excessive force, unlawful detainment, wrongful death, or another issue.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Civil Rights Cases in New York?
The statute of limitations for a police misconduct case in New York depends on the circumstances of the incident. There are separate statutes of limitations for civil cases and criminal charges, and deadlines can also vary based on the severity of the misconduct. The following are the applicable deadlines for police brutality lawsuits and criminal cases:
Criminal Charges
- Assault and battery: Two or five years for criminal cases, depending on the facts
- Manslaughter: Five years for criminal charges
- Murder: No time limit for criminal charges
Civil Lawsuits
- Assault and battery: One year and 90 days from the incident date
- False imprisonment: One year and 90 days from the incident date
- Other negligence resulting in personal injury: Three years from the incident date
- Wrongful death: Two years from the date of death
However, if you are filing suit against the city or a municipal entity, you must file a formal notice of claim within 90 days of the incident. Thus, act as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Notable Police Misconduct Settlements in New York State
2020 Protest Settlements - Excessive Force
Multiple large settlements occurred following the nationwide protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. Several peaceful protestors in NYC received a $500,000 settlement from NYC and the NYPD for excessive force by police. Additionally, in 2023, the city agreed to pay more than $13 million to a class of thousands of people who were arrested or beaten by NYPD officers during social justice protests in 2020.
Norberto Peets Settlement - Wrongful Imprisonment
In 2024, the City of New York agreed to a $14.75 million settlement with Norberto Peets, who spent more than 25 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Peets was wrongfully convicted of a 1996 shooting after NYPD officers allegedly fabricated a story about his involvement, withheld exculpatory information about an alternative suspect, and destroyed key biological evidence. In 2022, DNA evidence proved Peets was innocent.
Wilson Morales Settlement - Police Shooting
In 2020, 17-year-old Wilson Morales was shot by a Buffalo police officer and paralyzed from the chest down during a car chase. The city settled with Morales’ family for $4.5 million, one of the largest settlements in the city’s history. Officers claimed that they feared Morales was trying to back his van into them when he reversed off a curb during the chase.
Police Departments in New York With Misconduct Allegations
As of 2025, New York state had 528 law enforcement agencies employing nearly 70,000 police officers. The NYPD, the largest police department in the state and the country, employs half of those officers. Other major police departments in the Empire State that have been accused of police misconduct include the following:
- Albany Police Department
- Buffalo Police Department
- Nassau County Police Department
- New York City Police Department
- New York State Police
- Rochester Police Department
- Suffolk County Police Department
Filing a Police Misconduct Lawsuit in New York
To file a police misconduct lawsuit in New York City, you likely must first file a police misconduct report with the appropriate oversight agency. This may be the police department, the chief of police, the civilian review board, or another organization, depending on the circumstances of the incident. Taking steps to officially report misconduct before taking legal action can generate a useful paper trail for litigation.
To pursue a lawsuit, you must gather evidence to support your claim. A civil rights attorney can investigate, assist you with building your case, and ensure you file suit on time. Your attorney will then represent you in settlement negotiations or at trial.
The NYPD’s History of Misconduct
The NYPD has a troubling history of burying or ignoring cases of police misconduct. A recent report from the New York City Comptroller found a dramatic increase in excessive force claims against the NYPD in recent years, including a 49% jump in complaints from 2022 to 2023 alone. This trend continued into 2024 and 2025.
Each year, New York City pays out millions of dollars in settlements to victims of police misconduct and their families. If you have experienced police brutality by the NYPD, you are not alone, and an NYC police brutality lawyer can help.
Notable Police Reform and Misconduct Legislation in New York
New York Penal Law § 195.00 is the main law governing police misconduct in New York. This criminal statute prohibits official misconduct and criminalizes instances in which a public servant uses their position to obtain a personal benefit or to harm another person. Conviction can result in job loss, fines, and potential imprisonment.
Another crucial police reform law in New York was Executive Law 75, which created the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office, or LEMIO, and required all law enforcement agencies to report all instances of officer wrongdoing. LEMIO is now the primary agency responsible for preventing and remedying police misconduct in New York, investigating wrongdoing, examining departmental policies and procedures, making reform recommendations, and publicly reporting its findings.
In 2021, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order requiring local governments in the state to adopt a police reform plan by April 1 of that year. As of early 2026, 492 plans were submitted.
Contact Police Brutality Center For Legal Help
Police brutality is a severe, widespread issue across New York, despite recent laws and regulations. Qualified immunity still shields police officers from much of their legal liability. If you or a loved one has been a victim of police misconduct, you may be entitled to compensation.
Contact Police Brutality Center today to learn more about your rights and get connected with a local lawyer who can evaluate your claim and guide you through the legal process.