New York False Arrest Lawyer

Fighting Wrongful Arrests Across New York

Being arrested without probable cause is a violation of your constitutional rights. If you were wrongfully arrested, detained without justification, or held without proper legal basis in New York, our false arrest lawyers will fight to hold law enforcement accountable.

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Serving All of New York

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Recovered for New York Workers

500+

Cases Successfully Handled

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COMMON EXAMPLES

The following are common examples of false arrest

If you've experienced any of the following in New York, you may have grounds for a legal claim under federal, state, or city law.

Arrest Without Probable Cause

Police cannot arrest you without reasonable grounds to believe you committed a crime. Arrests based on hunches or bias are unlawful.

Arrest Without a Warrant

Most arrests require either a warrant or probable cause for a crime committed in the officer's presence.

Wrongful Detention

Being held by police beyond a reasonable time without charges or being brought before a judge.

Mistaken Identity Arrests

Arrests based on misidentification or confusion with another person, especially when officers fail to verify identity.

Pretextual Arrests

Arrests made for minor offenses as a pretext to search or detain someone for discriminatory reasons.

Retaliatory Arrests

Arrests made in retaliation for exercising constitutional rights like free speech or filming police.

EVALUATE YOUR SITUATION

Do I Have a False Arrest Case?

You may have a valid claim if you've experienced any of the following situations.

You were arrested but never charged with a crime, or charges were quickly dropped
Police arrested you without explaining the reason or without probable cause
You were detained for an extended period before being released without charges
You were arrested based on mistaken identity or false information
The arrest appeared to be motivated by your race, religion, or other protected characteristic
You were arrested shortly after exercising your First Amendment rights
Police fabricated or exaggerated evidence to justify your arrest
You were arrested for a minor offense that seemed like a pretext for detention

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Don't wait to protect your rights

False Arrest claims have strict filing deadlines. The sooner you act, the stronger your case.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

False Arrest FAQs

False arrest occurs when law enforcement detains or arrests a person without proper legal authority—typically without probable cause to believe the person committed a crime, or without a valid warrant. It violates the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable seizures.

Yes. You may have a false arrest claim even if charges were dropped or you were released without being prosecuted. The violation occurs at the time of the unlawful arrest, regardless of the outcome.

You may recover compensatory damages for time spent detained, emotional distress, humiliation, damage to reputation, lost wages, and physical injuries. Punitive damages may be available in egregious cases.

False arrest claims under Section 1983 generally have a 3-year statute of limitations in New York. Claims against the City of New York may require filing a notice of claim within 90 days. Consult an attorney immediately to protect your rights.

SERVING NEW YORK

False Arrest Lawyers Serving All of New York

Our New York false arrest attorneys represent clients throughout the New York metropolitan area and beyond.

ManhattanBrooklynQueensThe BronxStaten IslandLong IslandWestchesterNew York State

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Every false arrest case starts with a confidential conversation. We'll review your situation and explain your legal options—at no cost to you.

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