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When a government employee violates your constitutional rights, it can shake your trust in the institutions that are supposed to protect you. Whether it’s a police officer using excessive force, a corrections officer neglecting an inmate's medical needs, or any other form of government misconduct, an abuse of power can cause lasting harm.
But you don't have to accept what happened. Minnesota law gives you the right to fight back.
SiebenCarey has represented Minnesotans in civil rights cases for over 70 years, including residents of Duluth and St. Louis County, and we know what it takes to hold government entities accountable. If you've been subjected to police brutality, unlawful arrest, abuse in custody, or another form of government misconduct, our attorneys are prepared to fight for the justice you deserve.
If you have been harmed by a government employee’s negligence or misconduct, we’re here to fight for your rights. Call 218-722-6848 for a free, confidential case evaluation.
Civil rights violations happen when a government employee violates your rights while acting in their official capacity. This can take many forms. Here are some of the most common types of cases our Duluth attorneys handle.
Police officers are granted the authority to carry out their duties, but that authority has constitutional limits. When they use force to punish, intimidate, or cause deliberate pain, they are going beyond what the law allows. Excessive force can range from unnecessary physical restraint to unjustified use of deadly weapons. In the most severe cases, excessive force is known as police brutality, which can carry both civil and criminal consequences.
An arrest is only lawful when officers have reasonable and probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. Detaining someone based on arbitrary factors, personal bias, or insufficient grounds violates the Fourth Amendment. Any restraint that limits a person's freedom of movement without legal justification, whether through physical force, threats, or abuse of authority, can be grounds for a civil rights claim.
Deadly force is subject to the strictest constitutional standards. Police officers may use it only when they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily harm to themselves or others. It is never justified against unarmed individuals or those who present no immediate threat. When officers use lethal force without meeting that standard, they violate the most fundamental right a person has: the right to life.
Police dogs are a legitimate law enforcement tool when used appropriately. But deploying a K-9 against a compliant or non-threatening individual, or failing to maintain control of an aggressive animal, crosses into excessive force. These animals can cause severe lacerations, permanent scarring, and significant psychological trauma. Victims of improper K-9 deployments have the same right to pursue accountability as victims of any other use of force.
People in custody retain constitutional rights. Correctional employees have a legal duty to protect inmates from harm, provide access to necessary medical care, and maintain humane conditions. When employees engage in physical assault, sexual misconduct, or deliberate denial of medical treatment, they open themselves up to a civil claim. This also applies when officials fail to protect inmates from known dangers.
Constitutional violations don't only happen on the street or in a jail cell. Schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other government-operated facilities can also be sites of serious misconduct. These cases often involve vulnerable individuals who have little ability to protect themselves, making legal accountability all the more important.
Call SiebenCarey at 218-722-6848 to claim your free case evaluation.
Civil rights cases are grounded in constitutional protections and federal statutes. Understanding the legal framework helps explain why these claims can be brought against government employees and the agencies that employ them.
Three constitutional amendments form the backbone of most civil rights claims.
The primary federal tool for civil rights claims is 42 U.S.C. Section 1983. This statute allows individuals to pursue civil claims against state and local government employees who violate constitutional rights while acting under color of law. It applies to police officers, correctional staff, and other government employees across St. Louis County and the rest of Minnesota.
Individual employees aren't always the only ones accountable. Under the Monell doctrine, a city, county, or other government entity can be held liable when a constitutional violation results from an official policy, a widespread custom, or deliberate indifference to known problems. This means victims may have claims not just against the employee who caused harm, but against the institution that enabled it.
Federal law isn't the only avenue for relief. Minnesota state law provides additional protections for victims of government misconduct, including claims for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and other applicable state-law violations. In some cases, state law claims can strengthen a federal civil rights case or provide remedies that federal statutes don't cover.
SiebenCarey offers free, confidential consultations. Call 218-722-6848 today.
A successful civil rights claim can include several types of compensation. The damages available depend on the nature of the violation and the harm it caused.
Economic damages cover measurable financial losses, such as:
In serious cases, those costs can add up quickly and extend for years. A civil claim can remove that financial burden and help you rebuild your life.
Non-economic damages are harder to quantify, but no less real than economic damages. This category includes:
These damages can cause lasting harm, and the law recognizes that they must be addressed.
In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, courts may award punitive damages on top of compensatory damages. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar misconduct in the future. Punitive damages signal that civil rights violations are not just personal injuries: they are attacks on constitutional principles that courts take seriously.
Federal civil rights law allows successful plaintiffs to recover attorney's fees from the defendant. This provision exists to ensure that victims can pursue accountability regardless of their financial situation, and that attorneys are able to take on cases against well-funded government defendants.
Monetary compensation isn't always the only outcome. Civil rights litigation can result in court orders requiring government agencies to change their policies, improve officer training, or submit to outside oversight. These remedies can protect future victims and create meaningful, systemic change.
Our attorneys review civil rights cases at no cost. Contact us online or call 218-722-6848.
Civil rights cases often involve going up against well-funded teams of attorneys representing the government. You need the best help available in your corner. Here's why Duluth and St. Louis County residents choose SiebenCarey when the stakes are high.
SiebenCarey has been serving Minnesota since 1952. In that time, the firm has represented more than 70,000 clients across the state. That depth of experience means our attorneys understand Minnesota's legal landscape, its courts, and the tactics government defendants use to minimize their liability.
Our legal team includes some of Minnesota's most decorated attorneys. The SiebenCarey team includes:
Government entities have deep pockets and experienced legal teams. SiebenCarey has the financial resources to fund in-depth investigations, retain expert witnesses, and pursue cases for as long as necessary. Our clients never have to worry about whether we can go the distance.
Many civil rights cases settle before reaching a courtroom, but that outcome depends on preparation. Our attorneys build every case as if it will go to trial. That thoroughness often motivates government defendants to offer fair settlements rather than face our team in front of a jury.
SiebenCarey handles civil rights cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Additionally, federal civil rights law allows successful plaintiffs to recover attorney's fees from the defendant, so the cost of pursuing justice rarely falls on our clients.
We have no upfront fees. Just tell us what happened, and we can take it from there.
The steps you take after a civil rights violation can have a major impact on your legal options. Here's what to do.
Seek care right away, even if your injuries seem minor. Medical records are some of the most important evidence in a civil rights case and establish a direct link between the incident and your harm
Document the incident in as much detail as possible while your memory is fresh. Include the date, time, and location, as well as the names and badge numbers of any officers involved.
Photograph your injuries, any damaged property, and the scene if you can. Keep the clothing you were wearing during the incident. Do not wash it, as it may contain forensic evidence.
If anyone witnessed what happened, get their contact information. Independent accounts can be critical in cases where official reports tell a different story.
Avoid giving detailed statements to internal affairs investigators or other government representatives without an attorney present. Those statements can be used against you later.
File formal requests for police reports, 911 call recordings, body camera footage, dashcam video, and any internal investigation records related to the incident.
Civil rights cases are subject to strict deadlines, and evidence can disappear quickly. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your chances of building a strong case.
Contact SiebenCarey at 218-722-6848 before deadlines pass or evidence is lost.
Constitutional protections are a guarantee for all Americans. They don't disappear just because the person violating them wears a uniform or carries a badge. Government employees at every level are bound by the same laws that protect the people they serve. When officers and employees violate constitutional rights, they betray the public trust that makes safe communities possible, and you have the right to seek justice.
SiebenCarey's civil rights attorneys are prepared to hold those individuals and the institutions behind them accountable. If you or a family member has experienced police brutality, unlawful arrest, jail abuse, or any other form of government misconduct in Duluth, St. Louis County, or anywhere in the surrounding area, do not wait to get legal help. Evidence can be lost, and strict legal deadlines apply.
Contact SiebenCarey today for a free, confidential civil rights consultation. Whether you're in Duluth, Hermantown, Proctor, Cloquet, or anywhere else in northeastern Minnesota, we'll meet you at a location that's convenient for you.
Call our Duluth office at 218-722-6848 or reach us at 1-800-4-RIGHTS (1-800-474-4487).
Also awarded in:
2027, 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.
5 of our attorneys have been recognized as Attorneys of the Year
Also awarded in:
2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
Also awarded in:
2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008
7 Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists, Minnesota Bar Association
3 Board Certified Trial Advocates, National Board of Trial Advocacy.
