Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Maryland

police brutality and undue force on juveniles

My 17 yr. old son and a friend were in our neighborhood walking down the street towards a home of a friend. This friend was having a homecoming party. According to an adult female she stopped and talked to the boys while she passed them on her way home she pointed out to them there were approx. 8 policemen at the head of the cul-de-sac. Continuing the boys were told to stop and turn around they ( the police) had received complaints of noise and rowdyness. The boys said'' ok,ok'' my son turned and asked the chaperone if his friend was inside when my son turned the police grabed him by the back of the collar and shoved him to the ground, his friend got upset and said'' this isn't right, why are you doing this'' another policeman ran into him pushed him on the ground proceded to punch him on the back and knee him asking''does that hurt,does that hurt''. At that time the adult female returned to witness this and called 911. Is this allowed??


Asked on 10/18/02, 12:00 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Michael Worsham Michael C. Worsham, Esq.

Re: police brutality and undue force on juveniles

The facts you describe of an unprovoked assault are not legal conduct, but you did not describe how this ended and appear to have left out other details.

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Answered on 10/19/02, 12:54 am
Sheldon G. Bardach Law Offices of Sheldon G. Bardach

Re: police brutality and undue force on juveniles

Not in any state.

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Answered on 10/19/02, 11:18 am
Ana Avenda�o Law Office of Ana Avenda�o

Re: police brutality and undue force on juveniles

What you describe (an unprovoked attack by a policeman) is not legal. What recourse you have depends on what happened to your son. Was he hurt? did he require medical attention? Did they arrest him? At a minimum, you should be able to file a complaint w/ the police department--of w/ a citizen's review board if your state/county has one.

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Answered on 10/20/02, 4:17 pm


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