To be pulled over by the police can be a stressful situation. However, it is even more elevated when you are pulled over wrongly. Unlawful police stops can happen, particularly to persons of color. If you feel victimized by the police due to your race or ethnicity, then they may have unlawfully targeted you via racial profiling. A personal injury lawyer in Indiana can help you with your case, if you are the victim of racial profiling.
What is Racial Profiling?
Racial profiling involves targeting a person based on assumptions about a certain racial group, not based on the person’s behavior. An example of racial profiling may include traffic stops where an officer pulls over a person of color based on the car that they are driving, rather than because of any traffic violations. In this case, the officer may assume that the person is more likely to steal a car than to own one.
Racial profiling may conduct illegal searches, seizures, arrests or use of force against a person based on ethnicity, race or national origin. While police are allowed to use identifying characteristics to find a suspect, they cannot use race or ethnicity for suspicion of criminal activity.
Can you Fight Against Racial Profiling?
The U.S. Constitution guarantees that all people have equal protection under the law. If you are the victim of racial profiling, then you may also be the victim of illegal searches or seizures. An Indiana personal injury attorney may be able to help you as most legal remedies for racial profiling occur in civil courts. Federal and state lawsuits are common to fight racial injustice and profiling.
If you were the target of racial profiling, it may benefit you to speak with a personal injury lawyer in Indiana as soon as possible. For more information, contact Potts Law at (317) 951-0087 or fill out the online contact form.
