New York City Police Misconduct Handbook - Riseup

New York City Police Misconduct Handbook

Self-advocacy and ?1983

THIS HANDBOOK WAS STARTED WHEN SOME OF US WERE FIRST YEAR LAW

STUDENTS. WE WORKED ON IT FOR THREE YEARS, WITH THE GUIDANCE OF SOME LAWYERS. WE GOT PRETTY FAR ALONG. BUT WE'RE NOT DONE. WE HOPE THAT WHEN THIS BOOK IS DONE, IT WILL BE A RESOURCE THAT CAN EMPOWER THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO COUNSEL ? OR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN A DO-ITYOURSELF FUTURE ? TO BRING THEIR OWN CLAIMS IN VARIOUS COURTS WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN MISTREATED BY THE POLICE. WE HOPE THIS WILL BE A ROADMAP. SOME SECTIONS OF THIS BOOK ARE A SKETCH ? WE WOULD LOVE YOUR HELP IN FILLING IN THE LINES. WE WOULD ALSO LOVE TO HAVE A WAY TO GROUND-TRUTH THIS INFORMATION, AND TO BUILD A COMMUNITY OF COMRADES WHO ARE USING THE COURTS FOR JUSTICE AND CAN SUPPORT EACH OTHER, AS WELL AS OTHER GROUPS WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM AN AVENUE TOWARDS JUSTICE.

WITH THE INCOMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT IN MIND, WE ARE SHARING OUR DRAFT. SPECIFICALLY, IN THE OWS CONTEXT, WE WOULD LIKE TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO A FEW THINGS:

1. YOU CAN SUE THE NYPD IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT. IT COSTS $35.

2. YOU CAN SUE THE NYPD IN FEDERAL OR STATE COURT WITHOUT A LAWYER ? PRO SE. IT COSTS MORE ($210, USUALLY) BUT YOU MIGHT GET TREATED NICER BY A COURT THAN YOU WOULD IF YOU HAD A LAWYER.

3. WE ARE NOT SURE HOW TO BEST SHARE THIS INFORMATION. SHOULD WE PRINT THIS BOOK? SHOULD WE MAKE A WIKI? WE WOULD LOVE YOUR INPUT. YOU GUYS ARE A FORCE.

CONTACT 1983WORKINGGROUP@

OCCUPY EVERYWHERE!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER1:Introduction......................................................................................................... 5

WhatisthisHandbook...................................................................................................................................................................5 Whocanusethishandbook? ...........................................................................................................................................5 Howtousethishandbook ................................................................................................................................................5 Historyof1983 ......................................................................................................................................................................5

YourOptions .......................................................................................................................................................................................5 CCRB ...........................................................................................................................................................................................5 IAB ...............................................................................................................................................................................................6 DARacketsBureau...............................................................................................................................................................7 NonInstitutionalCommunityGroupsandPoliceWatchOrganizations ......................................................7 CivilRightsLawsuit .............................................................................................................................................................7 OngoingClassActionsinNYC..........................................................................................................................................7

ImmediateConcernsforCivilSuits...........................................................................................................................................8 Timelimits:StatuteofLimitations&NoticeofClaim...........................................................................................8 StoppingtheClock............................................................................................................................................................. 10 Equitabletollingexception:........................................................................................................................................... 10 PreservingEvidence&CivilClaims ........................................................................................................................... 10 StayingYourCivilSuit...................................................................................................................................................... 10

Chapter2:PlanningYour1983Lawsuit................................................................................. 11

WhatCourt/stoUse..................................................................................................................................................................... 11 CourtofClaims .................................................................................................................................................................... 11 FederalCourt .......................................................................................................................................................................12 StateSupremeCourt......................................................................................................................................................... 12 SmallClaimsCourts .......................................................................................................................................................... 12

WhomCanYouSue....................................................................................................................................................................... 12 JUDGES&JUDICIALIMMUNITY ..................................................................................................................................12 PROSECUTORS&PROSECUTORIALIMMUNITY.................................................................................................. 12 POLICEOFFICERS&QUALIFIEDIMMUNITY ........................................................................................................13 OFFDUTY&RETIREDOFFICERS ............................................................................................................................... 14 CORRECTIONSOFFICERS............................................................................................................................................... 14 NEWYORKCITY(notNYPDorDOCS)...................................................................................................................... 14 DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHANDMENTALHYGENE ......................................................................................... 15

WhatCanYouGet .........................................................................................................................................................................15 Injunctions ............................................................................................................................................................................15 Damages................................................................................................................................................................................. 16 TheSonofSamLaws........................................................................................................................................................ 16 DeclaratoryRelief .............................................................................................................................................................. 16

StepsinaCivilSuit ........................................................................................................................................................................ 16 CommonClaimsRelatedtoPoliceMisconduct(NYPD)................................................................................................18

FalseArrest........................................................................................................................................................................... 18 UnlawfulSearches/Seizures .........................................................................................................................................19 SearchesPursuanttoaWarrant .................................................................................................................................19 StripSearches ...................................................................................................................................................................... 20 ExcessiveForce................................................................................................................................................................... 20 MaliciousProsecution...................................................................................................................................................... 23 FailuretoInvestigate .......................................................................................................................................................25

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DeliberateIndifferencetoMedicalNeeds ............................................................................................................... 27 FailuretoIntervene .......................................................................................................................................................... 29 WrongfulConvictions(SueNYSunder8-b-courtofclaims) .........................................................................29 FirstAmendmentRetaliation .......................................................................................................................................29 NYStateTortClaims......................................................................................................................................................... 31 CommonClaimsRelatedtoCorrectionsMisconduct(pretrialdetention:DOCS&NYPDcustody) ..........33 Brutalitybyofficers .......................................................................................................................................................... 33 Deliberateindifferencegenerally(beatingsbyotherinmates) ....................................................................34 DeliberateindifferencetoMedicalNeeds ...............................................................................................................34 MedicalMalpractice(byRikersmedicalstafforotherhospitalstaff)........................................................ 35 Holdovers(beingheldbeyonddetentionreleasedates) .................................................................................36 SuingMunicipalitiesandSupervisors ..................................................................................................................................36 MunicipalLiability............................................................................................................................................................. 36 Supervisorliability............................................................................................................................................................ 40 The Effect of Ongoing Cases, Convictions, Plea Negotiations, and Criminal Court Proceedings on Your CivilCase. ..........................................................................................................................................................................................40 OngoingCriminalCases ..................................................................................................................................................40 GuiltyPleasandConvictions......................................................................................................................................... 41 Adjournmentsincontemplationofdismissal"ACD".......................................................................................... 42 DismissalsforLackofJurisdiction ............................................................................................................................. 42 SpeedyTrial(30.30)Dismissals .................................................................................................................................. 42 DismissalintheInterestofJustice(ClaytonDismissal) ...................................................................................42 PartialAcquittals&DroppedCharges ......................................................................................................................43 OverturnedConvictions .................................................................................................................................................. 43 PriorCriminalCourtProceedings(CollateralEstoppel) ..................................................................................43 DealsReleasingthePolice,Prosecution&CityfromLiability .......................................................................44 TheCriminalCourtPleaColloquy .............................................................................................................................. 46 COMMONPROBLEMSPREVENTINGSUIT .........................................................................................................................46 ArrestWarrants.................................................................................................................................................................. 47 ArrestsonaWarrantBasedonMistakenIdentity.............................................................................................. 47 ArrestsBasedonStatements/Information/IdentificationsofNonOfficers............................................ 48 FailuretoInvestigatebyPoliceOfficers ..................................................................................................................49 SearchesBasedonMistakesinWarrants................................................................................................................ 50 NoFruitofthePoisonousTreeinCivilSuits .........................................................................................................50 IllegalSearchesandSeizuresbasedonStateLaw............................................................................................... 51 TheProblemofQualifiedImmunity ...................................................................................................................................... 51 PreSuitinvestigations ................................................................................................................................................................51

Chapter 3 Starting Your Civil Suit.................................................................................. 52

OverviewofStepsforStartingaSuit .................................................................................................................................... 52 TheNoticeofClaim&the50(h)Hearing ...........................................................................................................................52

TheNoticeofClaim ........................................................................................................................................................... 53 HowtofileaNoticeofClaim ......................................................................................................................................... 53 LateNoticeofClaim.......................................................................................................................................................... 53 The50-hHearing ............................................................................................................................................................... 54 WritingtheComplaint ................................................................................................................................................................56 Filingyourcomplaint ..................................................................................................................................................................56 Wheretofile......................................................................................................................................................................... 56 Howtofile ............................................................................................................................................................................. 56 ServingProcess............................................................................................................................................................................... 56

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PreliminaryConcerns ......................................................................................................................................................57 FormsofService:................................................................................................................................................................ 59 Aftercompletingserviceofprocess .......................................................................................................................... 61 GettingHelpfromtheCourt .....................................................................................................................................................62

Chapter 4 What Happens After You File Your 1983 Suit ............................................ 62

Rule12(b)(6)dismissalsandIFPDismissals..................................................................................................................... 62 Summaryjudgmentdismissals ................................................................................................................................................ 62 Discovery ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 62

Discoverytools: ..................................................................................................................................................................63 2)Interrogatories .............................................................................................................................................................. 64 3)RequestforProductionofDocuments ................................................................................................................ 64 (4)Inspection ......................................................................................................................................................................67 (5)Depositions ...................................................................................................................................................................67 (6)Subpoenas .....................................................................................................................................................................68 (7)ContinuingIndependentInvestigations ........................................................................................................... 68 Motions ..............................................................................................................................................................................................69

Chapter 5 The Legal System and Legal Research ...................................................... 69

TakeallfromPLAHandbook ...................................................................................................................................................69

Appendix............................................................................................................................ 69

FreeResearchResources&Libraries ...................................................................................................................................69 CourtContacts ................................................................................................................................................................................69 Glossaryofterms ...........................................................................................................................................................................70 Forms .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 70

NoticeofClaimBlank .......................................................................................................................................................70 NoticeofClaimInstructions.......................................................................................................................................... 70 NoticeofIntenttofileaClaimBlank(CourtofClaims) ....................................................................................71 Sample1983Complaint .................................................................................................................................................. 71 NYPDFOIL ............................................................................................................................................................................71 DAFOIL ..................................................................................................................................................................................71 MotionforLeavetoFileanAmendedComplaint ................................................................................................ 71 DeclarationforEntryofDefault ..................................................................................................................................71 MotionforJudgmentbyDefault .................................................................................................................................. 71 MotiontoCompelDiscovery......................................................................................................................................... 71 SubpoenaDucesTecum ..................................................................................................................................................71 SubpoenatoappearforaDeposition........................................................................................................................ 71 Includeotherexamplesbutrefermosttotheindividualdistrictcourts ..................................................71

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CHAPTER 1: Introduction

WHAT IS THIS HANDBOOK

Who can use this handbook? Even non-arrestees. Everyone who was mistreated by NYPD officers or policy. Some mistreatment may not create a right to a civil suit. Although the bulk of this manual deals with civil litigation it is designed to provide various options for resolving mistreatment/misconduct by the NYPD.

How to use this handbook -Be creative this is not an exhaustive recitation of law. -For procedural issues including motions and discovery consult your local district court rules and pro se offices. The individual offices have their own ways of doing things and unique rules. Failing to comply with rules is a sure way to get on the courts bad side if not get your case dismissed entirely.

History of 1983 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

YOUR OPTIONS

CCRB Most civil rights and defense attorneys will tell you complaints to the CCRB (Civilian Complaint Review Board) are pointless and potentially harmful to any potential civil or open criminal case. Few of their cases are ever substantiated.1 However, the CCRB unlike the Internal Affairs Bureau "IAB" is independent of the police department and many investigators do take their job seriously.

If you do not wish to file a civil lawsuit and have no pending criminal lawsuit you may want to contact the CCRB to make a complaint. Under New York State Civil Service Law, officers who are subjects of substantiated CCRB investigations must be disciplined or served with disciplinary charges within 18 months of the date of the incident.2 So, make the complaint immediately. You can make a complaint online, through 311 or by visiting CCRB offices directly. An investigator will generally interview you once on the phone and once in person at their offices depending on how you make your complaint. Expect them to question you extensively and remain calm throughout the interview. The investigators are generally fair and polite.

1 See 2 N.Y. Civ. Serv. Law ? 75(4) (McKinney)

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