Civil Rights Violations Lawyers in New Mexico

We Can Help if You Were Mistreated by Police or Other Law Enforcement Officers

A police department is required to protect its citizens and see that the law is upheld. To realize this mission, police departments must have systems in place that ensure their officers have the proper training and tools at their disposal to help them handle the wide variety of situations they may face. Both physical safety and the sanctity of our Constitutional rights must be upheld in every interaction.

When police officers and police departments violate the rights of the people they are sworn to serve and protect, we demand accountability and change. McGinn Montoya Love Curry & Sievers PA is dedicated to helping the wronged find justice. We also look for cases where we can make a larger difference by challenging problematic or corrupt systems that need to be overhauled. If your rights were violated during a law enforcement action, reach out to our team today for advice on your next steps.

Call our skilled lawyers at (505) 405-4441 to schedule a free consultation. We care about making New Mexico safer and more just for all.

When Police Break the Law

Law Enforcement agencies are required to uphold the U.S. Constitution and state and local laws. When they violate citizens’ rights, they must be held accountable. Cases of police misconduct we can handle include:

• Police shootings and brutality
• Wrongful convictions and arrests
• Unlawful search and seizure
• Falsified evidence and witness tampering
• Racial profiling
• Dangerous high-speed chases

Police who misuse their positions and power must be held accountable.

Your Civil Rights & Law Enforcement

One of America’s founding principles is that all people should be treated equally under the law. As an American, you are protected from:

• Unreasonable searches or seizures of your property
• The deprivation of life, liberty, or property without due process
• Being detained or held without cause
• Being subjected to the use of excessive force during an arrest or enforcement action

Our attorneys have years of experience defending the civil rights of Americans. We can evaluate your case to help you determine whether your rights were violated and, if so, whether the violations are actionable.

McGinn Montoya Love Curry & Sievers PA Has Made a Difference

Here are some of the victories we have won to protect New Mexico residents against illegal police action.

Reorganization of the APD SWAT Team

Harper v. The Albuquerque Police Department, U.S. District Court for New Mexico, cause no. CIV 96-1048 (1996).

The APD SWAT team was called to respond to a family’s call for help with their suicidal loved one, who had walked into a wilderness area at night. After two hours in the cold, Larry Harper decided not to commit suicide. He was walking back to his truck in the dark when he was “lit up” by the SWAT team, then chased through the darkness by nine black-clad and camouflaged officers and two police dogs.

Mr. Harper was shot to death while hiding behind a tree and shouting that he had done nothing wrong. In addition to a monetary settlement, APD agreed to make 10 substantive changes in their policies and procedures, including reorganization of the SWAT team, tape-recording encounters with suicidal citizens, fingerprinting all weapons at the scene, and providing information and counseling to the families of citizens who are shot by the police.

Mandatory Police Training on the Dangers of High-Speed Pursuits

Jojola v. APD

On Jan. 27, 2000, Manoa Jojola, a gifted high school senior, was killed when city police chased a car 90 miles an hour down the interstate. After leaving the interstate, the car ran a stoplight and T-boned Manoa’s truck. The chase began without any evidence that the fleeing car’s occupants had committed any crime.

As part of our settlement agreement, the Albuquerque Police Department agreed to immediately investigate all future high-speed chases and to allow Manoa’s parents to participate in the creation of a police-training video to inform officers-in-training about the devastating effects of making a fatal and wrongful decision to engage in a high-speed pursuit on busy Albuquerque streets without cause. Manoa’s incredible parents fought for legislation to help prevent this from happening in the future.