Police Excessive Force

Legal cases involving law enforcement officers using more physical force than reasonably necessary

Martinez v. Birmingham, City of
  1. Martinez v. Birmingham, City of
  2. Jurisdiction: United States (October 16, 2018)
  3. Original Case: Martinez v. City of Birmingham
  4. VictimsJuan MartinezDefendantsCity of BirminghamPlaintiffsMaria MartinezJudgesUnited States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh CircuitInstitutionsUnited States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh CircuitBirmingham Police DepartmentU.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
  5. Case Tags: Police Excessive Force;Qualified Immunity;Section 1983 Litigation;Wrongful Death
McPherson v. Rivera et al
  1. McPherson v. Rivera et al
  2. Jurisdiction: United States (Phoenix, Arizona) (October 22, 2018)
  3. VictimsJacob McPhersonDefendantsAndrew RiveraPlaintiffsCynthia McPhersonInstitutionsPhoenix Police DepartmentCity of PhoenixUnited States District Court for the District of ArizonaUnited States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  4. Case Tags: Police Excessive Force;Qualified Immunity;Civil Rights Violation;Mental Health Crisis Intervention
Hogan v. Vestavia Hills Police Department et al
  1. Hogan v. Vestavia Hills Police Department et al
  2. Jurisdiction: United States (October 29, 2018)
  3. VictimsDeanna HoganPlaintiffsDeanna HoganJudgesAnnemarie Carney AxonInstitutionsVestavia Hills Police Department
  4. Case Tags: Police Excessive Force;Civil Rights Violation;False Arrest;Municipal Liability
Gibbons v. Dekalb County Sheriff et al
  1. Gibbons v. Dekalb County Sheriff et al
  2. Jurisdiction: United States (March 27, 2023)
  3. DefendantsDekalb County SheriffPlaintiffsGibbonsInstitutionsDekalb County Sheriff's Office
  4. Case Tags: Section 1983 Litigation;Police Excessive Force;Qualified Immunity;Fourth Amendment
Lowe v. Pettway et al
  1. Lowe v. Pettway et al
  2. Jurisdiction: United States (September 1, 2020)
  3. VictimsJuston LoweDefendantsThomas PettwayJustin HoltCity of Huntsville, AlabamaPlaintiffsJuston LowePlaintiff AttorneysJames E. Murrill, Jr.JudgesKevin C. NewsomEd CarnesRobin S. RosenbaumInstitutionsUnited States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh CircuitHuntsville Police Department
  4. Case Tags: Police Excessive Force;Qualified Immunity;Taser Use;Fourth Amendment
Gaddis v. Benoit et al
  1. Gaddis v. Benoit et al
  2. Jurisdiction: United States (June 2, 2023)
  3. VictimsKevin GaddisDefendantsJoseph BenoitCity of New OrleansPlaintiffsKevin GaddisDefense AttorneysMichael P. CiaccioPlaintiff AttorneysAndrea J. RitchieJudgesJane Triche MilazzoInstitutionsU.S. District Court for the Eastern District of LouisianaNew Orleans Police Department
  4. Case Tags: Police Excessive Force;Section 1983 Claim;Qualified Immunity;Fourth Amendment Violation
Patterson v. Officer Bradford et al
  1. Patterson v. Officer Bradford et al
  2. Jurisdiction: United States (January 30, 2026)
  3. Key Figures: Plaintiff: John Patterson; Defendants: Officer Michael Bradford, Officer Daniel Reed, City of Los Santos Police Department
  4. Case Tags: Police Excessive Force;Civil Rights Violation (Section 1983);Fourth Amendment;Qualified Immunity
Fitzpatrick v. Birmingham, City of
  1. Fitzpatrick v. Birmingham, City of
  2. Jurisdiction: United States (April 30, 2026)
  3. Key Figures: Jane Fitzpatrick (plaintiff, mother and personal representative of the estate of Michael Fitzpatrick); City of Birmingham, Alabama; Officer Mark Stephens
  4. Case Tags: Police Excessive Force;42 U.S.C. § 1983;Qualified Immunity;Wrongful Death