Monday, March 30, 2015

Filing a Notice of Claim in Police Misconduct case

Q: I am placed in a 24/7 'monitoring' protocol in NYC which I am aware of since last May. I attempted to get information by FOIPA and FOIL requests unsuccessfully.
In September 2014, still the organized stalking ongoing, my wife walked out of the apartment and initiated an unfounded DV misdemeanor case against me. This court case is still ongoing possibly heading for trial since I am not pleading guilty. The organized stalking includes electronic harassment. The newest type of electronic harassment I experience in public appears to be a from a device law enforcement acquired from Raytheon around 2010. I 've been regularly documenting the vehicular and foot patrol and the electronic harassment teams. I do not believe the use of this type of device is authorized and legal.

David's Answer: If the police are not confirming they are the ones doing the surveillance, then it's be your burden to prove they're the ones behind it. Thus, my advise is to capture the surveillance on video. Brea in mind a notice of claim must be filed within 90 days of the date of any perceived civil rights violation. -- David Bliven, Bronx Civil Rights attorney (www.blivenlaw.net)

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Police misconduct statute of limitations in nyc

Q:  please advise- is there a statute of limitations on investigations against police officer misconduct in NYC? I saw notice of claim filing timeframe but not sure if it applies. I filed another complaint with NYPD 'IAB' in 2010 that remains unanswered to date. This last request was filed to have my complaint reopened that began In 2007 and involves officers misrepresenting themselves as internal affairs and sharing my case information with the person I was having problems with. Also, the complaint includes a detailed list of requests for review of events that were never addressed such as stalking, failure to implement court orders, and failure to notify me of threats to my safety.

So does the statute apply? Who handles these cases? Thanks!



A:  David's Answer:  "Statute of limitations" generally means your deadline by which to file a lawsuit, not IAB's time in which to investigate a complaint. I'm not actually aware IAB has any internal deadline at all - you should thus discuss your case with a lawyer to ensure you don't miss your deadlines. Schedule a consult with a NYC Civil Rights attorney for a full assessment.   -- David Bliven, Bronx Civil Rights attorney (www.blivenlaw.net

Police officer have a legal right after they have pulled you over for a brake light situation not working, search your car ?

Q:  My son has brain damage as a result of his epilepsy. He got pulled over by a local officer today.
He was searched as well as his car ! He was stopped due in part to his brake lights.
I don't believe that the officer had the right to search my son's car & search him too !
He didn't anything wrong. When we get it fixed we have to just show the court proof that
it was addressed.


A:  David's Answer:  Generally the police would need to have reasonable suspicion with specific, articulable facts justifying the search. Many cops get around this, however, by asking "is it o.k. if I look in the car?" Many people - not knowing their rights - say "yes." If so, this would constitute a consent to search, waiving the violation of his rights. Schedule a consult with a civil rights lawyer in your area for a full assessment.  -- David Bliven, Bronx Civil Rights attorney (www.blivenlaw.net

Friday, March 13, 2015

Police misconduct statute of limitations in nyc

Q: please advise- is there a statute of limitations on investigations against police officer misconduct in NYC? I saw notice of claim filing timeframe but not sure if it applies. I filed another complaint with NYPD 'IAB' in 2010 that remains unanswered to date. This last request was filed to have my complaint reopened that began In 2007 and involves officers misrepresenting themselves as internal affairs and sharing my case information with the person I was having problems with. Also, the complaint includes a detailed list of requests for review of events that were never addressed such as stalking, failure to implement court orders, and failure to notify me of threats to my safety.  So does the statute apply? Who handles these cases? Thanks!




A: "Statute of limitations" generally means your deadline by which to file a lawsuit, not IAB's time in which to investigate a complaint. I'm not actually aware IAB has any internal deadline at all - you should thus discuss your case with a lawyer to ensure you don't miss your deadlines. Schedule a consult with a NYC Civil Rights attorney for a full assessment.  -- David Bliven, Bronx Civil Rights Attorney (www.blivenlaw.net)

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

How can I file a complaint or a suit against a police officer?

Q:  my friend(female) was arrested by a police officer. she was a passenger while driving in a taxi. taxi was being perverted and threatning. after a dispute of the location the passenger requested cab driver decided to immediately drop her off.as she went to pay for the cab fare he violently grabbed her hand and broke her purse. my friend then out of fear pulled out a box cutter and advise the cab driver to leave her alone. when cops arrived my friend got arrested. she believes the cop was being unjust. Majority of cops did not want to arrest her as she was acting in self defense ( she is 4'9 weighs 120lb.) but the senior cop had it out for her. how can we file a suit.


A:  David's Answer:  First, she should reserve her right to file a lawsuit by filing a notice of claim within 90 days from the date of the incident. Second, generally one cannot met non-deadly force with deadly force. Thus, for the lawsuit to stand any shot at all, the charges would need to be dismissed by the criminal court Judge on a pre-trial motion to dismiss for failure to state a cause of action (probably unlikely). Your friend should nevertheless schedule a consult with a Bronx Civil Rights lawyer for a full assessment.  -- David Bliven, Bronx Civil Rights attorney (www.blivenlaw.net

Saturday, February 21, 2015

If apartments door is closed and locked do police need permission in hallway without exigent circumstances?

Q:  They. Press's doorbells so people let them inn. The lady opened they walked right inn. Without asking


A:  David's Answer:  It depends - if they were "let in" & in other words invited in, then they don't need a warrant as that's a consent to enter. But it depends on what words were exchanged between the police & those you "let them in." You may need to call either a Bronx criminal law attorney and/or civil rights attorney to schedule a consult.  -- David Bliven, Bronx Civil Rights attorney (www.blivenlaw.net