US Constitution

Section 1983 Litigation

When Authority
Becomes Abuse.

The Constitution is not a suggestion. It is the supreme law of the land. When government actors violate your rights, we provide the aggressive federal representation needed to hold them accountable.

Confidential Evaluation

Why These Cases Are Different

Suing the government is not like suing a driver in a car wreck. Police officers and government officials are protected by a doctrine called Qualified Immunity. This legal shield blocks most lawsuits unless you can prove they violated "clearly established statutory or constitutional rights."

This is a high bar that scares away most general practice attorneys. At Addison Law Firm, we are students of the 10th Circuit. We know the precedent, we know the judges, and we know how to pierce that immunity to get you to trial.

Federal Court Precision

Civil Rights cases are typically fought in Federal District Courts, not your local county courthouse. The rules of procedure are stricter, and the timeline is faster. We regularly practice in:

  • Western District of Oklahoma (OKC)
  • Northern District of Oklahoma (Tulsa)
  • Eastern District of Oklahoma (Muskogee)
  • 10th Circuit Court of Appeals

Constitutional Violations We Fight

We handle cases under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the federal statute that allows citizens to sue for civil rights violations.

Excessive Force

Police brutality, unjustified shootings, misuse of tasers, and beatings during arrest. Law enforcement may use force, but it must be "objectively reasonable."

Jail Neglect & Death

"Deliberate Indifference" to serious medical needs. If a jail denies insulin, ignores a crisis, or fails to prevent suicide, the county is liable.

Unlawful Search

Fourth Amendment violations involving warrantless entry into your home, illegal traffic stops, or seizure of property without due process.

Spotlight: Jail & Prison Litigation

When the state takes someone into custody, they strip them of their ability to care for themselves. The Constitution therefore imposes a duty on the state to provide adequate medical care and safety.

Too often, Oklahoma counties outsource jail healthcare to private companies that prioritize profit over people. We dig into the contracts, staffing logs, and video footage to prove that the neglect wasn't an accident—it was a policy choice.

Did a loved one suffer in custody? Talk to us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but it is complicated. You sue them in their "individual capacity." However, the city or county (the "municipality") usually pays the settlement. To hold the city liable, we often must prove that the officer's actions were part of a "pattern or practice" of bad behavior (a Monell claim).
The statute of limitations for a Section 1983 claim in Oklahoma is generally two years from the date of the incident. However, you must also file a "Tort Claim Notice" with the government agency within one year for certain state law claims. Do not delay.
You can recover compensatory damages (medical bills, pain and suffering) and, crucially, punitive damages against individual officers if their conduct was malicious. Additionally, Section 1988 allows for the recovery of attorney's fees, which forces the government to pay for your legal representation if you win.

Protect Your Rights.

If the government has violated your rights, silence is not an option. We are ready to fight.

Contact Us Immediately