Areas Served
Civil Rights Lawyer in Wyoming County
Experienced Representation for Civil Rights Violations in Wyoming County
The Constitution protects every person against unlawful conduct by government officials. When those protections are violated, federal law may provide an opportunity to seek justice and compensation.
At Sklarosky Law, we represent individuals whose civil rights have been violated in Wyoming County and throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. We evaluate cases involving false arrest, malicious prosecution, police misconduct, excessive force, unlawful searches, and other constitutional violations.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation.
Civil Rights Cases We Handle
Our office handles a broad range of federal civil rights matters, including:
- False arrest
- False imprisonment
- Malicious prosecution
- Police misconduct
- Excessive force
- Illegal searches and seizures
- Wrongful detention
- Failure to intervene
- First Amendment retaliation
- 42 U.S.C. § 1983 lawsuits
Every case begins with a careful evaluation of the facts, available evidence, and the applicable constitutional principles.
Understanding Section 1983 Claims
Many civil rights lawsuits are brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a federal law that allows individuals to pursue claims against government officials who violate constitutional rights while acting under color of state law.
Section 1983 claims commonly involve alleged violations of:
- The Fourth Amendment
- The First Amendment
- The Fourteenth Amendment
An experienced Wyoming County civil rights lawyer can review your circumstances and determine whether a federal civil rights claim may exist.
Police Misconduct
Law enforcement officers perform an essential role in protecting the public, but they are also required to respect the constitutional rights of every individual.
Examples of potential police misconduct include:
- Arrests made without probable cause
- Excessive force
- Unlawful searches and seizures
- Fabricating or omitting evidence
- Retaliation for exercising constitutional rights
- Failure to intervene when another officer violates a person's constitutional rights
Whether police conduct violates the Constitution depends upon the facts of each case and the legal standards governing the officer's actions.
False Arrest and Malicious Prosecution
Not every dismissed criminal case creates a civil rights claim. However, when an arrest or prosecution occurs without probable cause or is based on unconstitutional conduct, federal law may provide a remedy.
These claims often involve questions concerning:
- Whether probable cause existed
- Qualified immunity
- The reasonableness of the officer's investigation
- False or misleading statements in police reports or affidavits
- Whether the criminal case ended favorably for the plaintiff
A prompt investigation may help preserve evidence that could become unavailable over time.
Excessive Force Claims
The Constitution limits the amount of force law enforcement officers may use under the circumstances.
Potential excessive force claims may involve allegations that officers:
- Used force against a person who was not resisting
- Continued using force after a person was restrained
- Used a Taser, baton, or firearm without legal justification
- Failed to prevent another officer from using unlawful force
Evaluating these claims often requires reviewing body-camera footage, surveillance video, medical records, photographs, and witness testimony.
What Should You Do If You Believe Your Civil Rights Were Violated?
If you believe your constitutional rights have been violated:
- Preserve all police reports, citations, and court records.
- Save photographs, videos, text messages, and emails.
- Identify witnesses and preserve their contact information.
- Obtain copies of any criminal court records.
- Avoid discussing your case publicly or on social media.
- Contact an experienced civil rights attorney as soon as possible.
Early legal review can help preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Communities We Serve in Wyoming County
Sklarosky Law proudly represents clients throughout Wyoming County, including:
- Tunkhannock
- Factoryville
- Nicholson
- Meshoppen
- Laceyville
- Falls
- Mehoopany
- Lake Winola
- Noxen
- Forkston
If your community is not listed above, please contact our office. We proudly represent clients throughout Wyoming County and Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Surrounding Counties Served
Sklarosky Law proudly represents civil rights clients in the surrounding counties, including:
Why Choose Sklarosky Law?
Federal civil rights litigation requires an understanding of constitutional law, federal procedure, and defenses frequently asserted by government officials, including qualified immunity.
At Sklarosky Law, every potential claim is personally evaluated by an attorney. We carefully review the evidence, explain the strengths and challenges of the case, and pursue litigation when the facts and law support a viable claim.
We offer:
- Confidential consultations
- Personalized legal representation
- Direct communication with your attorney
- Experience handling Section 1983 and federal civil rights litigation
- Representation throughout Wyoming County and Northeastern Pennsylvania
Schedule Your Confidential Consultation
If you believe your constitutional rights were violated in Wyoming County, don't wait to learn about your legal options.
At Sklarosky Law, we offer free consultations and handle civil rights cases on a contingent fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Call (570) 283-1200 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.