A badge doesn’t excuse brutality.
When the people sworn to protect and serve become the source of harm, the impact is devastating. Victims of excessive police force don’t just suffer physical injuries—they carry the weight of fear, humiliation, and betrayal. Being tackled, tasered, or beaten by law enforcement isn’t just an abuse of power—it’s a violation of your most basic civil rights.
In Detroit and across Michigan, high-profile cases have exposed a painful truth: excessive force is real, and it’s happening in our communities. From traffic stops that escalate into violence to wellness checks that end in taser injuries, too many lives have been upended by officers who crossed the line.
Whether it’s a teenager wrongfully beaten at a protest or a disabled individual thrown to the ground during a mental health call, these stories are not isolated—and they demand action.
What Is Excessive Force?
Excessive force happens when law enforcement officers use more physical power than is necessary to handle a situation. The law allows police to use force—but only when it’s reasonable and proportionate. When that force crosses the line, it’s not just wrong—it’s unconstitutional.
Examples of Excessive Force Include:
- Physical Assault or Unwarranted Beatings
Striking, kicking, or slamming individuals who are already handcuffed, surrendering, or not resisting. - Tasers Used on Compliant or Restrained Individuals
Using an electric stun gun on someone who is not posing a threat—or worse, already restrained. - Wrongful Shootings
Opening fire on unarmed individuals or those fleeing a scene without posing an immediate threat to others. - K9 Attacks Without Cause
Deploying police dogs on suspects who are already subdued or who posed no threat in the first place.
Reasonable Force vs. Abuse of Authority
There are moments when officers must act fast to protect themselves or the public—but those moments are limited and legally defined. Once the threat is gone, so is their right to use force.
Excessive force often comes down to this question: Was that level of force truly necessary—or was it a display of power meant to intimidate, harm, or punish?
Your Legal Rights Under the U.S. Constitution and Michigan Law
When police abuse their power, they don’t just hurt your body—they violate your civil rights, rights guaranteed by both the U.S. and Michigan Constitutions. Knowing these protections is the first step toward fighting back.
Fourth Amendment – Protection Against Unreasonable Seizures
The Fourth Amendment prohibits law enforcement from using unreasonable searches, seizures, or force. That means officers can’t just beat, tackle, or shoot someone unless it’s truly necessary to prevent harm or enforce the law.
If force is used after a person is handcuffed, compliant, or non-threatening, it may be a clear violation of this right.
Fourteenth Amendment – Due Process and Equal Protection
The Fourteenth Amendment protects every individual’s right to due process—fair treatment under the law. It also ensures equal protection, meaning no one should be targeted, abused, or mistreated based on race, disability, or other protected characteristics.
When excessive force is motivated by bias or used inconsistently, it’s not just excessive—it’s discriminatory.
Section 1983 – Holding Police Accountable
42 U.S. Code § 1983 is a federal law that allows victims to sue individual officers, departments, or cities when their constitutional rights are violated. These lawsuits are powerful tools—but they’re complex. To win, you must prove the force was objectively unreasonable and caused harm.
Marko Law has taken on Section 1983 cases across Michigan—and we know how to expose patterns of abuse, cover-ups, and department negligence.
Michigan Constitution and State Laws
Michigan’s Constitution mirrors federal protections and allows for civil rights lawsuits at the state level. In some cases, state law may even offer broader remedies than federal law.
Combined, these legal avenues give victims a path to justice—but it takes aggressive, experienced legal action to walk that path effectively.
Common Scenarios That Could Be Excessive Force
Excessive force doesn’t just happen in dramatic, viral videos. It happens quietly, every day—in homes, on sidewalks, during traffic stops—often to the most vulnerable among us. Here are some all-too-common situations where officers cross the line:
Beaten During or After an Arrest
If you're already restrained, handcuffed, or no longer resisting, any further use of force—like being punched, slammed to the ground, or choked—is not just excessive, it's illegal. The law is clear: once the threat is neutralized, violence is no longer justified.
Tasered While Unarmed and Compliant
Tasers are supposed to be alternatives to deadly force—not punishment tools. If an officer deploys a Taser on someone who’s standing still, clearly unarmed, or already under control, that’s not enforcement—it’s abuse of authority.
Force Used on Minors, Elderly, or Disabled Individuals
Age, physical vulnerability, and disability require officers to use extra caution. Slamming a teenager to the pavement or dragging a disabled adult from their wheelchair without reason? That’s excessive force, plain and simple—and the law supports victims in these cases.
Mental Health Crises or Routine Traffic Stops Turned Violent
Police encounters during mental health emergencies or minor stops should be de-escalated—not escalated. When officers respond to someone in emotional distress with fists or firearms, it shows a failure in training—and opens the door to a civil rights lawsuit.
Marko Law has handled cases like these across Michigan. We’ve stood with victims—young, elderly, disabled—whose only “crime” was being vulnerable in front of the wrong officer. And we’ve made sure their voices were heard.
What to Do If You Were a Victim of Excessive Force
If you’ve been hurt by the police, your first instinct might be to stay quiet out of fear or confusion. But silence helps them—not you. Taking the right steps immediately can protect your rights and strengthen your case.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Your health comes first. Even if the injuries seem minor, get checked out by a medical professional. Police brutality often causes internal injuries, concussions, or long-term trauma that isn’t immediately visible.
Make sure your visit is well documented—it can be key evidence in your case.
Document Every Injury
- Take photos of bruises, cuts, burns, or marks—especially within 24 hours of the incident.
- Keep medical records, prescriptions, and diagnoses.
- Save clothing, taser prongs, or anything else involved in the encounter.
Get Witness Names and Contact Information
Eyewitnesses can be powerful. They often see what the officer’s report tries to leave out. Ask for names, phone numbers, or statements if it’s safe to do so.
Witness video or phone footage? Back it up and save it immediately.
Request Bodycam and Dashcam Footage
Under Michigan law, you can file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain police camera footage. Time is crucial—footage may be deleted or altered if not requested early.
At Marko Law, we handle these requests quickly and aggressively to preserve critical evidence.
Don’t Talk to Internal Affairs Without a Lawyer
Police departments often launch internal investigations, but their goal isn’t always to help you—it’s to protect themselves. If you’re contacted by internal affairs, don’t speak or give a statement without your attorney present.
What you say can be twisted or used against you. Let your legal team speak for you.
You Deserve to Be Heard. You Deserve Justice.
No badge, no uniform, no department is above the law.
If you've been the victim of police brutality or excessive force, know this: your pain is real, your voice matters, and your rights are worth defending. What happened to you wasn’t just “standard procedure” or “an unfortunate incident.” It was a violation of the very principles law enforcement is supposed to uphold.
You don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to feel powerless. At Marko Law, we stand with the wronged and hold the powerful accountable. We fight for justice, not just for our clients—but for every community impacted by unchecked authority.
If you’ve been hurt by police, you’re not alone. We’ve taken on cities, departments, and officers—and we’ve won. Because when justice is on your side, you deserve nothing less than fierce advocacy.
Talk to an Excessive Force Attorney Now
Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation
📞 Phone: 1-833-MARKO-LAW or +13137777777 📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com
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