Civil Rights
As American citizens, we enjoy certain rights and liberties that are protected by the United States Constitution. If you believe that the police or other government actor has violated one of these rights, an attorney can help you take the appropriate legal action against the wrongdoer. There are two important reasons why this legal process is so important;
1) it allows you to hold the police or government responsible for their illegal behavior, and
2) even more importantly, it prevents the same wrongdoing from happening again to others in our society.
Clay Graham believes that police misconduct and government oppression should not be tolerated by anyone living in a society that values freedom and access to justice.
The most common examples of police and governmental misconduct are 1) unreasonably searching a person, and taking his/her property, 2) officers using excessive force in order to make an arrest, 3) Racial Profiling, and 4) Discrimination based upon sex, religion, age, race, or national origin.
Governmental entities, such as a city, county, state or any of its agencies may also be liable for the illegal actions of its police officers or employees in certain situations.
If you feel that your rights have been violated by a police officer or other governmental employee, contact Clay to schedule an appointment to discuss your claim. I now represent civil rights victims in Garland, Longview, Rockwall, and other cities in the outskirts of the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area.
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
Fourth Amendment, United States Constitution
“Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
Eighth Amendment, United States Constitution
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Fourteenth Amendment, Section One, United States Constitution