Los Angeles Law Enforcement Defense Attorneys

Defending the People Who Protect Society

Police officers can take pride in the fact that they’re making the world safer for ordinary people every day. But it’s an extremely demanding job, and you are called upon to make split-second decisions that can deeply impact your life and the lives of others.

No one else can appreciate the amount of pressure that a police officer is under at all times to protect public safety and uphold the high professional and ethical standards of your professions.

Everyone makes mistakes, but charges of police misconduct are often the result of contrived or illegitimate claims made by people with malicious intent.

Whatever the circumstances of your situation, if you have been accused of any type of misconduct, you could be facing serious consequences that may include suspension, termination, or even civil or criminal prosecution.

Our law enforcement defense lawyers at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP will aggressively defend you to protect your career, your reputation, and your freedom. Call (213) 688-0460 to learn more today.

Threats to Your Job and Your Freedom

Whether you are on or off duty, everything a police officer does is subject to intense scrutiny. And your actions in public are likely to be recorded by cell phone cameras. Your actions may be misinterpreted and taken out of context by people who are trying to make a name for themselves.

Police officers face the prospects of false accusations and allegations coming from people who are trying to avoid criminal prosecution and their representatives. Situations involving the use of force are particularly difficult, as you are attempting to subdue a suspect while protecting yourself and your colleagues from grievous bodily harm caused by someone who may be armed.

The media is constantly looking for sensational footage that will increase their ratings. And politicians know they can advance their careers by going after police officers.

Know Your Rights

A police officer may be subject to an internal affairs investigation, administrative hearings, criminal prosecution, civil lawsuits, or a Department of Justice investigation for alleged Civil Rights violations. In all these circumstances, you have the right to be represented by an attorney and other legal protections.

An internal affairs investigation usually involves the alleged violation of police department rules. These investigations may result in an administrative hearing before an administrative law judge or criminal prosecution.

During any type of proceeding, an officer has the right to be defended by an attorney and you are also protected by POBRA, the Lybarger Admonishment, and your United States Constitutional rights.

Under POBRA (Public Safety Officers Bill of Rights) an accused officer has the following rights:

• Interrogations must be conducted for a reasonable length of time
• Investigators must give their name and rank
• No more than two interrogators can question an officer at once
• The officer must not be subjected to offensive language
• The officer must be told the nature of the investigation

According to the Lybarger Admonishment, an accused officer must be informed of their Miranda rights, and you cannot be penalized for refusing to speak.

Police officers have the same Constitutional rights as everyone else, including:

• Due process in all hearings
• No unwarranted search and seizures
• The right to counsel
• No arrest without probable cause
• No unlawful detention

Why You Need Aggressive Legal Defense

Whether you are a police officer, sheriff’s deputy, probation officer, corrections officer, state highway patrol officer, or a federal agent, it’s essential to have proactive legal defense when facing any type of disciplinary action or legal charges. An administrative hearing may result in adverse action such as suspension, dismissal, demotion, or a reduction in salary.

An officer will usually be terminated after a felony conviction, and you could be facing jail time. Termination may also result after a conviction for a misdemeanor offense that involves moral turpitude (fraud, dishonesty, corruption of others, or particularly egregious acts).

Offenses that may result in disciplinary action or a criminal conviction include:

• Filing a false report
• Planting evidence
• Inappropriate weapons discharge
• Death of a suspect in custody
• Concealing exculpatory information
• Questionable use of force
• Perjury
• Murder
• Assault
• DUI
• Drug crimes
• Sex crimes
• Police brutality
• Racial profiling
• Public corruption
• Domestic violence
• Civil Rights violations
• Involuntary manslaughter
• Obstruction of justice
• Witness tampering

We’re on Your Side

Our nationally recognized criminal defense attorneys at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP are proud to defend the men and women in law enforcement. Call (213) 688-0460 to schedule a free consultation today.