Jail deputies, correctional staff, and correctional institutions’ medical and support personnel put their lives on the line on a daily basis. There are few places as unpredictable as a jail, and staff spend up to 12 hours a day confined with those from society who refuse to conform to the law or who may be so mentally ill that they are incapable of knowing right from wrong. To make matters worse, staff can be held legally responsible for what harm these inmates do to others and to themselves. A single form completed with a few sentences of information is all it takes for a prisoner to file a federal lawsuit against staff members and their agencies. An effective corrections defense strategy is a necessity.
Our team represents jails, prisons, and the deputies and correctional officers working in those environments among dangerous offenders every day. Despite the constant challenges faced by correctional officers, they are faced with endless scrutiny and criticism from inmates, attorneys, interest groups, and government agencies. With our extensive experience working for and defending corrections agencies, we understand the challenges and and bring a skill set and perspective which many other firms do not. We have defended against all conceivable claims against jails, prisons, and their staff members.
Our Experience
- 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Claims
- Due Process claims
- Class Actions
- False Imprisonment claims
- Excessive force claims
- Failure to protect claims
- Failure to train & supervise claims
- Positional asphyxia / excited delirium claims
- Access to courts claims
- Inadequate medical / mental healthcare claims
- First Amendment / Prison Legal News claims
- Religious freedom / RLUIPA claims
- Personal injury/ tort claims
- Wrongful death/ suicide claims
- Inmate/staff assault claims
- CRIPA Actions
- Department of Justice Civil Rights litigation
Other Services
In a world of increasing official-capacity claims, agencies desiring to limit and be successful in future litigation must rely on legally sound policies. In addition to litigation and law enforcement defense, our team provides legal-based training and policy development. Furthermore, we are available to work as general counsel for agencies and assist with routine legal tasks such as subpoena and process review and returns, employment action consultation or review, issue-based legal opinions and memoranda, and public record and FOIA responses. Most importantly, we are available provide support and assistance immediately following serious incidents anticipated to lead to litigation, as well as legal investigations and reviews of such incidents.