Police Shootings Attorney

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Innocent people are shot and killed in the U.S. by trigger-happy police officers every year. In 2019 alone, more than 1,000 people were killed by the same police officers who swore to serve and protect the people.

While some officers blame the shootings on fear or reflex action, and others blame the shootings on false information, it’s clear that a lack of training, an over-militarization of the police force, and racial biases are root causes of the issue.

There are ways to deal with these issues in court, however. Experienced civil rights attorneys like Carol Powell Lexing take on these cases not only to help the victim’s families, but to work to ensure these types of shootings become less and less common.

Police Shootings In The United States

Police shootings are at a higher rate in the United States than any other countries.

Studies have shown that roughly three people are shot in the U.S by police officers daily.

These shootings occur mostly in populated areas, totalling up to more than 1000 civilian deaths by police shooting per year.

Black and Latino men are the most at risk of police shootings in the U.S.

The following facts make clear the racial bias factor in these cases:

13

BLACK PEOPLE MAKE UP JUST 13% OF THE U.S. POPULATION

25

BLACK VICTIMS OF DEADLY POLICE SHOOTING ARE ROUGHLY 25%

MOST BLACK PEOPLE KILLED BY POLICE OFFICERS ARE UNARMED

Causes and Solutions of Police Shootings

In theory, no officer sets out to take an innocent life. Different circumstances may lead to shootings, including:
  • Irrational fear of some police officers
  • Racial discrimination
  • Misidentification of a suspect
  • Physical contact with armed suspects
  • Contact with people with a mental health condition (as police officers are often not trained to deal with these types of situations)
  • Mental instability

These issues are often furthered by the immunity enjoyed by police officers which protects them from charges as provided by the law, as well as the unwillingness of some police officers to report the misconduct of their fellow officers.

Immediate solutions to this issue need to be enforced. Experts believe there are some measures that can be taken to curtail these shootings, including:
  • Intensive training for police officers
  • New laws that would provide penalties for trigger-happy officers
  • Compensation plans for families of victims of shootings
  • Surveillance cameras to capture activities of police
  • Civilian review boards should be developed for the general welfare of civilians
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The “Houdini Handcuff Case”

Many times, Black men who die through police shootings are wrongfully charged with a different crime.

The well-known “Houdini Handcuff Case,” which took place in New Iberia, Louisiana in 2014, occurred when Victor White III was arrested and handcuffed behind his back.

He then died in the police car from a gunshot wound.

A few days later, the police reported that White committed suicide by shooting himself in the back, which contradicted the autopsy results that showed bullet wounds in front close to his armpit.

Carol Powell Lexing represented White’s family and pointed out the contradictions from various reports. She has worked time and time again to investigate other similar cases to bring justice to the families of the victims.

White’s case and other cases around the country are examples of lives that were lost as a result of indiscriminate police shootings. But civil rights attorneys like Lexing are here to help.

Call 318-324-0700 to schedule an initial consultation

Contact Carol Powell Lexing Today

Carol Powell Lexing’s impressive experience standing up for people whose rights have been violated is clear. At Carol Powell Lexing & Associates, we either settle on our client’s terms or prosecute to verdict. The Law Office of Carol D. Powell Lexing & Associates is committed to giving you all the support you need. Contact us today to get started on your case.

Call 318-324-0700 to schedule an initial consultation

Contact Carol Powell Lexing Today

The state owes you a duty to protect your rights, but you have to be willing to fight when someone infringes upon your rights. Carol Powell Lexing’s impressive experience standing up for people whose rights have been violated is clear. The Law Office of Carol D. Powell Lexing & Associates is committed to giving you all the support you need. Contact us today to get started on your case.

Call 318-324-0700 to schedule an initial consultation