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Minneapolis Civil Rights Attorneys

Protecting Your Constitutional Rights in Minneapolis

Constitutional protections exist to safeguard your rights and prevent government abuses. When Minneapolis law enforcement officers or other government employees violate these fundamental rights, the harm extends beyond the immediate victim. Such violations undermine community trust and threaten the principles that define our democratic society.

For over 70 years, SiebenCarey has represented Minneapolis residents whose constitutional rights have been violated by government officials. Our civil rights attorneys understand what it takes to challenge institutional power and pursue accountability when those in authority abuse their positions.

If you've experienced police brutality, unlawful arrest, jail mistreatment, or other government misconduct in Minneapolis, our legal team has the experience and resources to fight for justice on your behalf.

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Claim Your Free Minneapolis Civil Rights Consultation

Government violations of constitutional rights demand immediate legal action. Contact SiebenCarey for your confidential case review.

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Why Minneapolis Residents Choose SiebenCarey

A Proven Track Record Since 1952

SiebenCarey has served Minnesota for over seven decades, representing more than 70,000 clients and developing unmatched experience in personal injury and civil rights law.

Distinguished Legal Qualifications

Our attorneys have earned recognition for their legal skills and professional contributions. The SiebenCarey Team includes:

Prepared for Courtroom Advocacy

Though many civil rights cases settle, our attorneys prepare every case for trial from the start. This thorough preparation often motivates defendants to offer fair settlements rather than face our experienced trial lawyers in front of a jury.

Substantial Legal Resources

SiebenCarey possesses the financial capacity to fund extensive investigations, retain expert witnesses, and pursue cases against well-funded government defendants for as long as necessary to achieve justice.

No Financial Risk

We handle civil rights cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay nothing unless we win. Additionally, successful civil rights plaintiffs can often recover attorneys' fees from defendants under federal law.

Contact our Minneapolis civil rights team for your free case evaluation.

Experienced civil rights violations in Minneapolis?

Our attorneys are ready to fight for your constitutional protections. Call 612-333-4500 for immediate help.

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Types of Constitutional Violations in Minneapolis

  • Excessive Force and Police Brutality

    Law enforcement officers receive training and authority to perform their duties, but constitutional limits restrict how that power can be exercised. Officers who use violence to punish suspects, intimidate citizens, extract confessions, or cause deliberate pain violate constitutional protections.

    Force violations range from unnecessary physical restraint to unjustified deadly force. Police brutality represents the most severe form of these violations and constitutes criminal conduct that demands accountability.

  • Unlawful Arrest and Detention

    Unlawful arrest occurs when officers lack proper authority or act beyond their lawful scope. Police cannot detain individuals based on arbitrary factors or personal bias. Constitutional standards require reasonable cause to believe someone committed a criminal offense before making an arrest.

    Any improper restraint that restricts freedom of movement may constitute unlawful detention. This includes situations involving threats, abuse of position, or physical confinement, even when no physical contact occurs.

  • Unjustified Use of Deadly Force

    Deadly force represents the most restrictive action available to law enforcement. Constitutional requirements demand that officers reasonably believe such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily harm to themselves or others. Lethal force should never target unarmed individuals or those presenting no immediate danger.

    When officers use deadly force without proper legal justification, they violate the most basic constitutional protection: the right to life itself.

  • K-9 Unit Misconduct

    Police dogs serve legitimate law enforcement purposes when properly controlled and deployed. However, when officers use K-9 units in situations where lesser force would suffice, or when they fail to maintain control over aggressive animals, serious injuries result.

    K-9 deployments often involve large, powerful breeds capable of causing severe lacerations, permanent disfigurement, and psychological trauma. Improper use of police dogs may constitute excessive force, particularly against cooperative or non-threatening individuals.

  • Correctional Facility Abuse and Neglect

    Correctional staff have constitutional obligations to protect those in custody, including providing adequate medical attention, preventing inmate violence, and maintaining humane conditions. Abuse in custody can involve physical assault, sexual misconduct, denial of necessary medical care, or deliberate indifference to serious health conditions. Neglect happens when staff fail to provide required care or protection, resulting in preventable harm or death.

  • Violations in Government Institutions

    Beyond traditional law enforcement misconduct, constitutional violations occur in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other government-operated facilities. These cases frequently involve vulnerable individuals who depend on government employees for their safety and well-being.

Legal Foundations of Civil Rights Claims

Constitutional Protections

Several constitutional amendments protect citizens from government overreach. For example:

  • The Fourth Amendment prevents unreasonable searches and seizures, including the use of excessive force during arrests.
  • The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, particularly relevant in correctional settings.
  • The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees due process and equal protection under the law for all citizens.
Federal Civil Rights Statute

42 U.S.C. Section 1983 provides the primary federal mechanism for civil rights claims against government officials. This statute allows individuals to sue state and local government employees who violate constitutional rights while acting under the authority of law.

Institutional Liability

Under established legal principles, municipalities can be held liable for civil rights violations resulting from official policies, customs, or deliberate indifference to constitutional violations. This allows victims to pursue compensation not only from individual officers but from the government entities employing them.

Minnesota State Protections

Beyond federal civil rights statutes, Minnesota law provides additional protections and remedies for government misconduct. These include claims for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violations of state constitutional provisions.

Don't let government misconduct go unanswered.

Contact SiebenCarey at 1-800-4-RIGHTS for a free civil rights consultation.

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Available Compensation in Minneapolis Civil Rights Cases

Constitutional violations often cause severe and lasting harm extending far beyond immediate physical injuries. Minnesota law recognizes various categories of damages.

Economic and Non-Economic Damages

Economic compensation addresses medical expenses, lost income, and reduced future earning capacity. Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, diminished quality of life, and reputational harm.

Punitive Awards

When conduct proves particularly egregious, punitive damages may be awarded to punish wrongdoers and discourage future violations. These damages recognize that civil rights violations assault constitutional principles, not just individual victims.


Recovery of Legal Fees

Federal civil rights statutes permit successful plaintiffs to recover attorney's fees from defendants, ensuring victims can afford quality legal representation regardless of financial circumstances.

Court-Ordered Reforms

Beyond monetary awards, civil rights litigation can result in court orders requiring policy changes, training reforms, or oversight mechanisms designed to prevent future violations and protect potential victims.

Get the compensation you deserve for constitutional violations.

Call SiebenCarey at 1-800-4-RIGHTS now.

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Steps to Take After a Constitutional Violation

How you respond to a violation of your civil rights can have a major impact on both your personal safety and legal options.

1. Seek Medical Care

Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries, regardless of perceived severity. Medical records provide essential documentation of harm caused by the violation.

2. Establish a Paper Trail

Document detailed accounts of events while memories remain fresh. Include dates, times, locations, and names or badge numbers of any officers involved.

3. Preserve Physical Evidence

Photograph injuries, damaged property, and the scene when possible. Retain all clothing worn during the incident, as it may contain crucial evidence.

4. Talk to Witnesses

Collect contact information for anyone who witnessed the incident. Independent witness accounts can be crucial in cases where official accounts may be biased or inaccurate.

5. Limit Official Statements

Exercise caution when providing statements to internal affairs investigators or other government officials without legal representation. These statements can be used against you later.

6. Obtain Records

File formal requests for all incident-related records, including police reports, 911 recordings, dashcam or body camera footage, and any internal investigations.

7. Contact SiebenCarey Immediately

Early legal intervention proves crucial in civil rights cases due to strict deadlines and evidence preservation concerns. Call us at 1-800-4-RIGHTS for immediate assistance.

The sooner you talk to an attorney, the better.

Contact our Minneapolis office at 612-333-4500 for immediate legal help.

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Get Justice with SiebenCarey's Minneapolis Civil Rights Attorneys

When government officials violate constitutional rights, they attack the foundation of our democratic system. SiebenCarey's civil rights attorneys stand ready to defend constitutional protections and demand accountability from government entities.

Civil rights violations require immediate action to preserve evidence and protect your rights under strict legal deadlines. Don't let violations go unchallenged.

Contact SiebenCarey today for your free, confidential civil rights consultation. Whether you're in downtown Minneapolis, North Loop, Uptown, or anywhere throughout Hennepin County, we're prepared to meet you at a convenient location to begin fighting for the justice and accountability you deserve.

FAQs

What deadlines apply to Minneapolis civil rights lawsuits?

Civil rights claims under Section 1983 are subject to Minnesota's statute of limitations for personal injury cases, which allows six years. However, some claims have shorter deadlines, making it all the more important to talk to an attorney right away.

Minnesota Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

Yes, civil rights claims remain viable even when criminal charges are dropped or dismissed. Unlawful arrest and excessive force claims are civil matters separate from criminal proceedings.

What if departmental policy caused the violation?

When a department policy violates constitutional rights, both individual officers and the municipality may face liability. Unconstitutional policies can form the basis for municipal liability claims.

Must I file an internal complaint first?

No, internal complaint procedures need not be exhausted before filing a civil rights lawsuit. However, internal affairs investigations may produce relevant evidence for your case.

Can I file a lawsuit if the police say I resisted arrest?

Resistance to arrest does not automatically prevent civil rights claims. Officers must use only reasonably necessary force under the circumstances, regardless of resistance levels.

What if no witnesses observed the incident?

Physical evidence, medical records, and inconsistencies in official accounts can support civil rights claims even without independent witnesses. Our investigators know how to uncover evidence supporting your account of events.

Defend Your Constitutional Rights with Help from SiebenCarey

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Minneapolis Office

901 S Marquette Avenue, Suite 500
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

Phone: 612-333-4500
Fax: 612-333-5970