Most police and official-misconduct claims in Columbus are brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. In Ohio, the deadline is generally 2 years (R.C. 2305.10; R.C. 4112.052(D)). Officers may raise qualified immunity, and a city is liable only for its own policy or custom.
This page provides general information, not legal advice about your matter. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
They wrote the report. We test it.
Excessive force, false arrest, denial of medical care in jail, retaliation for speech, discrimination by a government agency or official. The government has its lawyers, its investigators and its own version of the report. We fight for your rights with the evidence that tests it.
Qualified immunity is the first wall
Officers argue that no clearly established law told them their conduct was unlawful. We build the claim around the facts and the case law that answer that defense, and expect an early fight over it.
When the city itself answers
A city or county answers for a civil rights violation only when the violation traces to its own policy, custom or training failure. That requires records beyond a single incident. See jail medical care and failure to train.
Get the video before it is gone
Body-cam, dash-cam and jail footage may be overwritten on a schedule. A public-records request and a preservation letter go out early; our public-records guide explains how.
Footage on a deletion schedule? Call 614-944-5151 now.
Related fights
State-law claims against public bodies follow different immunity rules: suing the government in Ohio. Workplace discrimination by a public employer: employment law. Abuse by people in authority: sexual abuse, including claims against public schools and other institutions.
Discrimination by a private employer is usually an employment case, not a § 1983 case. See our Columbus employment discrimination lawyer page or, for unwanted sexual conduct, what Ohio workers can do about sexual harassment. For unfair treatment because of race, see race discrimination at work.
Why clients hire us
- We build every civil rights case to be tried, because qualified immunity is beaten with a record, not a press release.
- We send preservation letters and records requests in the first days.
- We prove the city’s role with pattern evidence, not one bad night.
- We give you a frank read on whether a federal case is the right path.
Body-cam and jail video on a deletion schedule are the first records we demand.
FAQ
What is Ohio’s filing deadline for a civil rights claim?
Generally 2 years from when the claim accrues for actions under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (R.C. 2305.10; R.C. 4112.052(D)). Related state claims may have shorter deadlines.
Can I sue a police officer for excessive force?
Yes. Excessive force claims are commonly brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, though the officer may raise qualified immunity.
What is qualified immunity?
It is a defense that shields officials unless their conduct violated clearly established law. Courts often decide it early in the case.
Can I sue the city, not just the officer?
Sometimes. The city answers only for its own fault: an official rule, a widespread practice, or training so poor it shows deliberate indifference.
How do I get body-cam video?
Start with a public-records request and a written demand to preserve the footage. Some video can also be obtained in discovery after suit is filed.
What should I gather before a civil rights consultation?
Bring any report, citation or court papers, photos, medical records, witness names and a short timeline. Tell us about any body-cam, dash-cam or jail video, so the preservation letter goes out before it is overwritten.
Tell us what happened, before the footage is gone
Phone our Columbus office at 614-944-5151, or describe what the officials did.
Related
Jeckering & Associates, LLC · Columbus office: 10 N High St, Suite 301, Columbus, OH 43215 · 614-944-5151 · Mechanicsburg office: 16 S Main St, Mechanicsburg, OH 43044 · 937-896-2222 · staff@centralohiolegal.com · Hours Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:30 PM