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- 31 Oct 2025
When you leave your home and end up interacting with a police officer, you should not have to fear for your life. Officers are not supposed to draw their weapons unless every other form of les than lethal de-escalation has failed or is inappropriate for the situation at hand, and yet, many of them turn to their firearms as a first resort. As a result, thousands of people have their civil rights violated in shootings every single year. Our officer-involved shooting law firm strives to hold negligent officers accountable.
Why choose the Law Offices of Dale K. Galipo? Because for more than two decades, attorney Dale K. Galipo has committed his legal career to serving victims just like you. Officers have nearly limitless authority when it comes to the use of force, and people like you are left suffering the consequences. Find out how we can protect your civil rights in the wake of a shooting—call us at 818-347-3333 now.
Identifying Violations in Your Case
Civil rights violations in officer-involved shootings often stem from an officer’s abuse of power and authority. In some cases, this is intentional; an officer knows they have broad authority to handle situations as needed, so they don’t even bother deescalating. In others, these abuses happen because an officer misinterprets a situation and fails to act appropriately in the face of perceived danger. Excessive use of force is a common civil right violation, and many officer-involved shooting attorneys argue that their victim’s shooting was an obvious case of excessive force. Racial profiling is another common civil right violation in this situation. It’s no secret that certain groups are targeted more often than others; BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) are significantly more likely to be fatally shot by the police, despite making up a smaller part of the population.
Another civil rights violation that may arise in a shooting is improper search and seizure. Officers need to have just cause to stop a suspect; if they don’t, any subsequent actions may be illegal.
Legalities of Officer Conduct
There are numerous legal frameworks in place to try to govern police officer conduct, but as any officer-involved shooting lawyer will tell you, these frameworks often fall apart at the first sign of resistance. Officers are legally required to uphold suspects’ civil rights. California officers are required to use appropriate de-escalation tactics rather than going right for their firearm.
When police officers fail to uphold the high standards set out for them by their department, their state, and federal law, they may be subject to scrutiny. Internal affairs departments often investigate officer-involved shootings; however, they rarely face criminal charges and the prosecutor almost never decides to take it to that level.
What to Do If You Are Shot By an Officer
We understand that it can be stressful trying to figure out your next steps after a shooting. If the shooting has caught the media’s attention, you may already hear people coming up with their own theories, blaming you, or trying to absolve the officer of all wrongdoing. It’s important to stay calm and focus while you wait to talk with an officer-involved shooting law firm. Do not talk to anyone about what happened to you. Even well-meaning friends may provide a comment to the news, further complicating your case and making it harder for you to receive justice. This is the time to talk to an officer-involved shooting lawyer, focus on your own recovery, and follow your lawyer’s advice.
Take Action Now; You Deserve Justice
Officer-involved shootings can leave victims traumatized for the rest of their lives. If you’ve been unfairly targeted and had your civil rights violated, we can help. Call us at 818-347-3333 or send us a message online to get started.
