Civil Rights Victory · Police Misconduct

Client tackled and searched by police officer for standing near a different suspect

A black man was standing outside an apartment complex in Battle Creek minding his own business when he was attacked and unlawfully arrested by police officers.

With Michigan Legal Center’s help, he was able to get justice against the officers who violated his rights.

The client met his brother outside of a Battle Creek apartment complex, 15 minutes later, he was in handcuffs in the backseat of a police cruiser and on his way to jail. The client was talking to his brother and a resident of the complex when officers approached. The officers were responding to a surveillance of the apartment resident, who had posted a Snapchat video of himself with a handgun.

Without identifying themselves or articulating any suspicion, officers grabbed the client and searched him using a pat-down.

When he asked what was happening and why he was being searched, the officers interpreted his resistance as active and tripped him and tackled him to the ground. He was then arrested for resisting arrest and obstructing justice.

Michigan Legal Center: The Law Offices of Christopher Trainor and Associates accepted and pursued the case. Michigan Legal Center successfully opposed and argued against a motion for summary judgement.

This means that the police officers attempted to have the case dismissed. However, after reviewing testimony, videos and the evidence of the case, the court allowed the case to proceed.

The court agreed that there was no reasonable suspicion merely by association and the officers were not entitled to qualified immunity. Michigan Legal Center was able to present the facts of the case in a way that the judge was able to make a judgement without having to spend court time on oral arguments.

The court ruled that the officers had violated the client’s Fourth Amendment rights by stopping and frisking him without reasonable suspicion, unlawfully arresting him and using excessive force in the arrest.

With the help of Michigan Legal Center, our client got the outcome he deserved.