Ken Swartz represented Maria Paul a young woman in a civil rights action against a Palm Beach County Deputy. Ms. Paul had been beaten and punched by a Palm Beach County Sheriff Deputy following a traffic stop while driving home from a Christmas party in Belle Glade, Florida. The trial resulted in a $75,000 verdict against the sheriff deputy but the verdict was set aside because a juror went online to discover the deputy had been fired. The Sheriff’s office settled with Ms. Paul on the eve of trial rather than facing a second trial. The story was reported in the Palm Beach Post.
Under the federal statute 42 U.S.C. § 1983 a person has a cause of action (commonly known as a civil rights action) against a local or state official for the violation of federally protected rights. In Ms. Paul’s case, she suffered violations of the Fourth Amendment by the deputy’s excessive force fallowing the traffic stop.
If you believe you are the victim of a false arrest or excessive force in connection with a police encounter contact Florida Bar board certified attorney Ken Swartz who will aggressively defend you and protect your rights.