PART ONE
PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
1. False Arrest
2. Excessive Force
3. Assault and Battery
4. Negligence
5. Malicious Prosecution
6. Indifference to Medical Needs
7. Conspiracy to Violate Civil Right
8. Invasion of Privacy
9. Verbal Abuse and Harassment
A. Common Law Tort Action
B. Federal Rights Action
1. Background
2. Advantage to Bringing a Civil Rights Action
3. Special Requirements for Bringing a Federal Civil Rights Action
a. Violation of a Constitutional Right or Federal Law
b. Conduct Under Color of State Law
A. Legal Considerations
1. No Jurisdiction in Federal Court
2. Government Immunity
B. Practical Considerations
1. The Judge
2. The Jury
3. Jury Selection
4. Unanimous Verdicts
5. Special Courts
6. Discovery
7. Time to Get to Trial
A. Individual Officers
B. Supervisors
C. Municipalities
D. States
E. Federal Government
A. Overview
B. Tips on Drafting the Notice of Claim
1. In General
2. Special Consideration in False Arrest Cases
C. Late Notice of Claims
A. In General
B. When Does the Statute Begins to Run?
C. Tolling of the Statute of Limitations
PART TWO
BEGINING THE CASE
A. Getting Medical Assistance
B. Recreating the Events
C. Available Reports
D. Witnesses
E. Client Interview
F. Should I Take the Case? Client Interview Form
A. In General
B. Setting Forth the Facts
C. Special Allegations in False Imprisonment Cases
D. Special Allegations in Malicious Prosecution Cases
E. Pleading Damages
1. Compensatory Damages
2. Punitive Damages
A. General Principles of Discovery
B. Interrogatories versus Examination Before Trial
C. Discovery Request Checklist Preparing the client for Deposition
PART THREE
CAUSES OF ACTION
A. Elements of a False Arrest Claim
1. Intent to Confine
2. Consciousness of Confinement
3. Lack of consent to the Confinement
4. No Privilege to Confine
a. In General
b. Arrests Pursuant to An Arrest Warrant
c. Arrests Without a Warrant
d. Other Types of Confinement
1. Duty to Use Reasonable Care
2. Breach of Duty
3. Proximate Cause
A. Elements
B. Commencement or Continuation of a Proceeding
C. Favorable Termination of the Proceedings
D. Lack of Probable Cause Malice
PART FOUR
FORMS
FORM 1: Notice of Claim for False Arrest
FORM 2: Notice of Claim for Malicious Prosecution
FORM 3: Notice of Claim for False Arrest and Malicious Prosecution Case
FORM 4: Leave to File Late Notice of Claim for Malicious Prosecution After Serving Timely Notice of Claim for False Arrest
FORM 5: Petition for Leave to File Late Notice of Claim for False Arrest and Malicious Prosecution After Favorable Termination of Criminal Charges
FORM 6: Discovery Demand
FORM 7: Examination Before Trial of Police Officer or Store Detective Checklist
FORM 8: Action in State Court for False Arrest, Assault and Battery, Negligence in Training, Supervising and Performance of Duties, Malicious Prosecution and Violation of Civil Rights Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983
FORM 9: Claim in Federal Court for False Arrest, Assault and Battery, Negligence in Hiring, Training and Performance of Duties, Malicious Prosecution and Violation of Civil Rights Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983
FORM 10: Complaint for False Arrest, Assault and Battery, Deprivation of Civil Rights and Punitive Damages Against Municipality and Police Officers for Arresting Plaintiff Without a Warrant or Other Legal Process
FORM 11: Complaint in Action Against Store Owner and Employee for False Imprisonment and Assault and Battery of Customer Accused of Shoplifting
FORM 12: Complaint in Action for False Arrest Against Corporation and Employee Who Caused a Police Officer to Arrest Plaintiff Without Warrant for Theft of a Vehicle
FORM 13: Malicious Prosecution Action Against Municipality
FORM 14: Malicious Prosecution Action Where Arrest Made Pursuant to a Valid Warrant
