Police brutality & excessive force in Miami can change a life in an instant. When those entrusted with authority cross the line, the harm is often physical, emotional, and lasting. We approach these cases with care and precision: listening to your story, understanding what happened, and guiding you forward with respect and relentless advocacy.
Hold Authorities Accountable for Your Losses
Police brutality & excessive force in Miami occur when law enforcement uses more force than is reasonably necessary under the circumstances. While officers are permitted to use force to make an arrest or maintain control, the law requires that force be proportionate. Under the Fourth Amendment, any use of force must be “objectively reasonable” based on the situation.
Excessive force includes actions that go beyond what is necessary to address a threat, such as the continued use of force after someone is restrained or is non-resistant. These cases are often brought under federal civil rights law, including 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Determining whether conduct crosses the line requires a careful, fact-specific analysis of what happened and why.
The Graham Difference
We take a deliberate, hands-on approach to every case we accept. At Graham Trial Lawyers PLLC, we choose to focus on a small number of serious cases so we can do the work the right way. Led by husband-and-wife lawyers Thomas D. Graham and Megan Arnold, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, building it with care, strategy, and purpose from day one.
We understand that these cases are about more than legal claims: they are about what you have lived through. We take the time to listen, understand your story, and guide you through the process with clarity and respect. Our primary role is to carry the legal burden for you while we pursue accountability with focus, creativity, and relentless commitment.
Common Examples of Police Brutality & Excessive Force
Police brutality & excessive force in Miami can take many forms, often arising when a situation escalates beyond what is necessary.
Some of the most common examples include:
- Using physical force against a non-resistant individual
- Continuing force after a person has been restrained or handcuffed
- Deploying a taser without a justified threat
- Striking or injuring someone during an arrest without cause
- Using chokeholds or neck restraints in non-lethal situations
- Failing to de-escalate when a situation allows for it
- Using force against individuals who are already subdued
- Engaging in unnecessary escalation during routine encounters
Who Can Be Held Liable for Police Brutality & Excessive Force?
Determining liability in police brutality & excessive force in Miami requires a careful, fact-specific analysis of what happened, who was involved, and whether the force used was legally justified. We examine body camera footage, witness accounts, departmental policies, and the sequence of events to understand how and why the situation escalated.
Liability may extend beyond the individual officer to include the police department or municipality, particularly when failures in training, supervision, or policy contribute to the harm. In some cases, multiple parties may share responsibility, and identifying each one is essential to pursuing full accountability under federal civil rights law and applicable Florida claims.
Millions Recovered for Complex, High-stakes Cases
We approach every case with trial in mind, focusing on the details that shape the story and drive results.
While every case is unique, our results reflect the care, preparation, and persistence we bring to each client we represent.
- $1.6 million for a wrongful death involving an armed security guard asserting Florida’s stand your ground immunity
- Confidential settlement for a sexual assault at a chiropractor center
- Confidential settlement against the Catholic Church for institutional sexual abuse
- Confidential settlement for a teacher on child sexual assault at a private Catholic school
What to Do After a Police Brutality & Excessive Force Incident
What you do in the moments and days after police brutality & excessive force in Miami can affect your health, your rights, and your ability to pursue accountability.
Taking the right steps early can help preserve evidence and protect your claim.
- Seek immediate medical attention and document all injuries
- Request and preserve any available body camera or surveillance footage
- Take photos of injuries, the scene, and any visible evidence
- Identify and collect contact information from witnesses
- Avoid discussing the incident with law enforcement without guidance
- Keep records of medical care, expenses, and how the incident has affected you
- Contact experienced lawyers to evaluate your rights and next steps
Contact Lawyers Who Truly Care
If you are dealing with the aftermath of police brutality & excessive force in Miami, you deserve clear guidance and someone who will take your situation seriously. We are here to listen, explain your options, and stand with you through every step of the process. Contact us today for a free, confidential case review.
