What are the civil rights of individuals subjected to unprovoked force by police officers?

In North Carolina, individuals who are subjected to unprovoked force by police officers have certain civil rights. These rights are protected by both the North Carolina law and the federal law known as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Under the Civil Rights Act, it is illegal for a police officer to use any form of excessive or unreasonable force while executing their duties. The Act defines excessive force as any force that is greater than what’s necessary to safely make an arrest or prevent a suspect from fleeing. If an officer uses excessive force, they could be subject to civil liability. In order to seek redress for any harm caused by such force, individuals have the right to bring a civil action against the police officer or the police department for damages as a result of the excessive force. This action can be filed in either a state or federal court. In addition, individuals may be eligible to seek punitive damages, which are monetary awards designed to punish the wrongdoer for their conduct. If an individual believes that they have been the victim of unprovoked force by a police officer, they can contact civil rights lawyers or advocacy organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union to discuss their legal options. It is important to remember that individuals have rights and it is important to hold officers accountable for their actions.

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What are the civil rights of individuals subjected to unprovoked force by police officers?

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