Law Enforcement & Corrections
Rodrigue & Arcuri defends Louisiana sheriffs, police departments, correctional agencies, and their officers in civil claims arising from patrol and custody.
The practice covers use of force in the field and in jail, including allegations of excessive force, officer-involved shootings, and in-custody deaths; Fourth Amendment claims of false arrest and unlawful search; and First Amendment claims arising from protests, civil unrest, and investigations. In the custodial setting, the firm regularly defends failure-to-protect, medical-care, conditions-of-confinement, force, and inmate deaths and suicide cases, for both public and private facilities.
The work is built to resolve cases early where the law allows—exceptions, motions to dismiss, summary judgment practice, and voluntary dismissals. Our office has taken interlocutory appeals on the issue of qualified immunity and has been successful at ending litigation prior to discovery ever being conducted.
Outside the courtroom, the firm advises agencies on policy, the legal limits of police authority, PREA and other correctional standards, and risk management. Firm attorneys instruct at POST academies for the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association conferences, and for agencies across the state.
The practice covers sheriffs in more than 50 parishes and municipalities, the Louisiana State Police, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, and the Louisiana Parole Board.