How do i take legal action against police who have assaulted me while i was mentally ill?

Question

In August 2004 I was suffering from severe depression and mental illness when i tried to commit suicide,during the course of this, police arressted me and showed no compassion nor respect for me and took the advantage of assaulting me resulting in injury. I have not been able to find a lawyer that is interested in helping me to take legal action to show that my human rights were violated and my dignity ignored as well as being unlawfully injured by the police.

ok, due to the fact that i have already received some really dumb and unintelligent answers, probably from police officers or sympathisers and especially from idiots who know nothing but what ive stated and forming an opinion, thank god they are not judges as the country would be in a right state!
First of all, i am NOT seeking any cash settlement, i am quite well off and do not need it, its a matter of pure principles and moral human rights that i am interested in resolving by making these police officers be accountable for their actions. I did NOT call the police out, no one knew where i was that night, they found me by accident and decided to take advantage of my situation. I did not resist arrest because i was unconcious! but my arms were badly bruised and i had been kicked and punched, the doctor on duty took note and complained at the time. I have already been through the police complaints proceedure to no avail. if you cant offer intelligent advice then its you who are mental.

Well first of all, i am a UK citizen not USA so our laws are different. Secondly, i was unconcious because of the amount of pills i had taken and they were having the effect on me that i desired. Third, the reason i know the police committed the assault was because there was a totally independant witness, plus another police officer saw what happened and disagreed with the actions taken by the police who assaulted me, and he informed me after the i had recovered and told me that he was warned by his superior to not implicate his collegues with what he "might have seen" . My independant witness put in an official complaint and when i tried to get legal representation, i was told exactly as some have said here, you cant beat the police, and it seems that there is one law for us, and a totally seperate one that is open for abuse, to police.
Finally, i do not know much about what effect drugs have on the system,and it seems that all i was gaining from my attempt was a giant hangover!

So, the police "saints" such public spiritted gentle chaps, did NOT save my life because it was never in danger, i had not taken anything that would have caused anything other than a long sleep and loss of conciousnes for a while. People who do not understand mental illness or the stress that normal humans have to endure in life or who have no experience of it, should not make unqualified comments on any situation concerning it. For your information, the most intelligent people on the planet are people that walk a fine line of mental illness, and without them we would be in the dark ages, so think on before making stupid remarks and try to research the subject first.

The police in the UK have a worsening record every time you look at the news, and they get away with it most of the time, a point in question is bad police driving, dangerous and often killing innocent people and even getting the blame shifted to the person who ends up hurt or killed. complaints commission is a farce!

Answer 1

You won't get much sympathy from the law. They always side with the coppers and close ranks, unless there is real evidence out in the media, and they have no alternative.

Answer 2

The real question here is what really happened. You were depressed and attempted suicide. How did you do that and in so doing were you a danger to someone else. Having a loaded gun would do it. If you were suffering from mental illness and severe depression and unconscious how could you try to kill yourself?

If you were unconscious how do you know the police did this? Could it have been someone else and they just picked up the pieces?

If you can't find a lawyer to take your case you must not have enough evidence to prove what you say. You say you have money so lawyers like that but they don't like to take a case they can't hope to win. The fact you were mentally ill goes against you in so many ways.

Too many unknowns here for anyone to give advise on such an important matter. Most cities have some form of legal aid. Contact them and see if you have a case or not. If they say you do not they you are in a real bind.

I am not a lawyer, cop, or have anything to do with the legal system. Just trying to ask some questions and in so doing maybe help a little.

Answer 3

If you have already been through the complaint process at the department where the alleged offense occurred, then go to the next level. In Texas, that would be the County DA's office. You can then go to the state police agency / DPS. They have a division that investigates these type offenses (in Texas, it's the Texas Rangers). If all that is to no avail, then the Federal Government is your last option. You can make a criminal complaint against the offending party, but must be able to prove it. Your sworn testimony alone will get the ball rolling, but you will require evidence to back up your testimony (witness accounts, photos of injuries and an ER report etc...) You really need an attorney, so keep trying. Realistically, you do face an uphill battle, but it is not an unwinnable one.

Answer 4

If you were unconcious, how do you know it was the police that assaulted you? How do you know these injuries weren't sustained as a result of your combat with the police. If you were mentally ill and unconcious, how do you know you didn't resist them?

Assuming you didn't resist, how do you know you weren't injured by the police and EMT's legitimate efforts to save your life? This sometimes happens - in the course of acting quickly, they can't always cuddle people with kid gloves while trying to resuscitate them.

As to you wanting a lawyer to take this case on "principle", lawyers have a saying: "Principle is expensive." and considering the extreme unlikelihood of an eventual large cash settlement at the end of the case few can afford to invest the time, expense and energy this case would require just to make a point. Even if you are willing to pay $300 an hour plus expenses.

There is a reason you can't find a lawyer to take your case - you don't have one.

Answer 5

You have no case. There is a little thing called the "Good Samaritan Act" in most states. This prevents you from taking legal action against someone who is acting in "Good Faith", to save someones life. I also have a hard time believing that you were beat up. Becasue in all states, people who attempt suicide go to the hospital and not to jail. So, if you were taken to a hospital or metal health facility, I am almost certain they would have said something or reported it if you were beaten. Not trying to be sarcastic here, but if you can not find a lawyer to take the case, that is a clue. There are many many money-hungry lawyers in this world, that will take any case that has the slighest legal merit. So if you can not find one to take the case, you most likely do not have one.

Answer 6

Not real sure on legal stuff in UK (I'm from U.S.). If I had you're troubles I'd gather all documentation and make it public (for instance media). You mentioned a doctor, they should have some deataield documentation of injuries. Find an official statement of what happened in police custody from the police. If I understand you correctly this is more about justice and moral obligations. Good luck with this and I hope this helps.

Answer 7

You stated "People who do not understand mental illness or the stress that normal humans have to endure in life or who have no experience of it, should not make unqualified comments on any situation concerning it." "so think on before making stupid remarks and try to research the subject first."

I think you should take your own advice when you make stupid comments about all police officers and stereotyping them as corrupt. Read a little first and then make an educated comment.

How come you are free to make an attack on all police, yet no person can offend your beliefs/values. What you state about police road accidents is absolute rubbish.

Answer 8

did you get the police officers name, serial number , police district, if so go back to the police station where the alleged assualt took place , ask to see a senior officer , the swear out a complaint against the officer he is obliged in law to take your complaint further
in the uk there is a well defined complaints proceedure, i am sure there would be a similar route in the states or any other european country. regards LF

Answer 9

Even with leagal representation, this charge is going to very hard to prove, unless there are witnesses to back up your story. The fist place to file would be the police departments's interal affairs dept.. The second, the district attorney's office, and lastly, the FBI, if yoyr civil rights have truly been violated.

Answer 10

Where are you? In UK there are lots of voluntary organizations that deal with mental health issues. A well known organization in UK is called MIND. If you contact them, or some similar organisation, then I'm certain that some person will be able to advise you, even recommend a solicitor to represent you. They will know what to do. Mental health issues are their speciality and whats more, they do care.