Camden Criminal Lawyers Discuss Police Misconduct in New Jersey

Police misconduct is a major issue across the nation. Major cases have recently shed a nationwide light on this problem. Police brutality in New Jersey is just as much of an issue as it is elsewhere. Even if it is not always deadly, individuals facing criminal charges in New Jersey are often victims of police misconduct.

Controversial Police Departments Throughout New Jersey

One of the most controversial police departments in the nation can be found in Newark, New Jersey. In 2014, after many complaints from residents, the US Department of Justice agreed that the police department in Newark was regularly violating the constitution in searches, stops, and arrests. Additionally, it was determined that officers frequently used excessive force.

Individuals have made reports of unconstitutional stop-and-searches which violate the suspect’s privacy. These searches frequently turn up nothing, yet citizens complain that the officers involved still treat them as if they are guilty. In one particularly flagrant case, a 10-year-old boy was stopped and frisked by an officer.

Newark is not the only city in New Jersey which suffers from widespread police misconduct. In 2014, it was found that complaint rates of police misconduct in Camden were higher than cities with larger populations and more police. While the use of body cameras and dashboard cameras have helped these rates fall, there is still a chance of danger for those facing criminal charges in Camden.

What Police Misconduct Looks Like

Police misconduct can come in several forms. Some, such as excessive force, can seem obvious, but others can be hard to spot. Behaviors which constitute police misconduct include:

• False Arrest: in the situation of a false arrest, the suspect has been arrested without reasonable cause. This can mean that they were arrested without a warrant, and without having committed a crime in the presence of the officer. A false arrest violates the Fourth Amendment, and therefore can lead to criminal charges being quickly dismissed.

• Excessive Force: as mentioned above, excessive force can seem obvious. However, excessive force can often be seen even in mundane traffic stops for minor infractions. Even a compliant individual can be the victim of unnecessarily rough handling.

• Failure to Intervene: in a failure to intervene, an officer does not uphold their constitutional responsibility to protect the suspect from the misconduct of another officer. This is an easily-overlooked form of police misconduct, but can be used to help build an effective criminal defense.

Camden Criminal Lawyers at The Law Offices of Michele Finizio Help Clients Fight Criminal Charges in New Jersey

If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges in New Jersey, then the qualified and dedicated Camden criminal lawyers at the Law Offices of Michele Finizio can help you. If you feel that your arrest was a case of police misconduct, we can help you mount the effective criminal defense that you deserve. Our offices are located in Moorestown, New Jersey, and we represent clients in Burlington County, Camden County, and throughout the state of New Jersey. Call us at 856-888-9059 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.