When your rights are violated by police officers or other government authorities, it can be difficult to know what to do next. Many people feel overwhelmed, intimidated, or unsure whether they have enough evidence to file a complaint or pursue accountability. That is exactly why taking the right first step matters.
At Here’s Our Deal, we help individuals organize and document incidents involving government misconduct, harassment, excessive force, unlawful arrests, denial of medical care, or other possible civil rights violations. Through our Incident Report page, you can explain what happened in a clear and structured way so important details are not forgotten or left out.
Once your incident is submitted, our team can help identify what records may be needed to support your complaint. This may include public records requests, body camera footage, dash camera footage, police reports, arrest records, dispatch logs, use-of-force reports, and other documents that may help show what happened. Federal civil rights authorities recognize issues such as excessive force, false arrest, unlawful stops or searches, and denial of serious medical needs as serious law enforcement misconduct concerns.
We can also help prepare Internal Affairs complaints and organize claim-related documents when your rights may have been violated by government authorities. A strong complaint is not just about saying something went wrong. It is about presenting the facts, the timeline, the evidence, the officers involved, the agencies responsible, and the harm you experienced in a clear and professional way.
You do not have to figure out the process alone. Here’s Our Deal helps turn a confusing and stressful situation into a more organized case file, giving you a better foundation when requesting records, filing complaints, and taking the next steps toward accountability.
Stay Calm and Do Not Physically Resist
Even if you believe the arrest is unlawful, do not physically resist. Groups such as the ACLU advise people not to resist arrest and to stay as calm as possible, because police encounters can escalate quickly and resistance can increase the risk of injury or additional charges.
This does not mean you are giving up your rights. It means you are protecting yourself in the moment.
Clearly State That You Want to Remain Silent
If officers start asking questions, say clearly:
“I am exercising my right to remain silent.”
The ACLU states that you have the constitutional right to remain silent and that, if you want to use that right, you should say so out loud. It also advises not to provide explanations, excuses, or extra information after an arrest.
Many people make the mistake of trying to explain everything on the spot. That often hurts more than it helps.
Ask for a Lawyer Immediately
After you state that you want to remain silent, say:
“I want a lawyer.”
The ACLU advises that if you are arrested or detained, you should ask for a lawyer immediately and avoid signing or deciding anything without legal counsel.
Do not let pressure, intimidation, or promises push you into answering questions without counsel.
Do Not Consent to Searches You Do Not Understand
If officers ask to search your phone, car, bag, or property, do not argue physically. Instead, say:
“I do not consent to this search.”
The ACLU’s guidance explains that people generally have the right to refuse consent to a search, and its current guidance on recording law enforcement says that, if you are not under arrest, officers generally need a warrant to confiscate your device or view its contents without your consent. If you are arrested, police may take your phone, but a warrant is still generally required to search its contents.
That short statement can matter later if your case is reviewed in court.
Get Medical Help as Soon as Possible
If you were injured, ask for medical attention immediately. If you are released, go to an emergency room, urgent care clinic, or doctor as soon as you can.
This step matters for your health, but it also matters for evidence. The FBI states that people in custody have a right to medical treatment for serious medical needs, and willful denial of access to needed care can amount to a federal civil rights violation. The DOJ likewise identifies deliberate indifference to serious medical needs or substantial risk of harm in custody as potential law enforcement misconduct.
Ask for copies of all medical records, discharge papers, photos, and billing documents.
Write Down Everything Right Away
As soon as you are safe, document everything while your memory is fresh. Include:
- Date and time
- Exact location
- Agency name
- Officer names, badge numbers, car numbers, or physical descriptions
- What officers said
- What you said
- Whether force was used
- Whether there were witnesses
- Whether there is body camera, dash camera, store camera, or cellphone footage
The ACLU advises people whose rights may have been violated to write down everything they remember, including officers’ identifying details and witness contact information.
This written timeline may become one of the most important pieces of your case.
Preserve Videos, Photos, and Digital Evidence
Save everything. Back up videos, photos, screenshots, call logs, and text messages to more than one place. Do not edit the files. Keep the originals.
The ACLU states that the First Amendment protects the right to record law enforcement officers performing their duties in public, subject to reasonable limits, and the DOJ has also supported that principle in court filings and public materials.
If someone else recorded the arrest, ask them to save the original file and send you a copy.
Collect Witness Information
If anyone saw what happened, get their full name and contact information as soon as possible. Independent witnesses can be extremely important, especially when the police report does not match what happened.
Also note nearby businesses, homes, traffic cameras, or public buildings that may have captured the incident.
Request Important Records
If your rights were violated during an arrest, records can help you understand what happened and support your complaint or legal claim. Depending on your case, those may include:
- Body camera footage
- Dash camera footage
- 911 calls
- CAD or dispatch logs
- Arrest reports
- Use-of-force reports
- Jail intake records
- Medical records from the jail or hospital
Getting these records quickly can matter because some evidence may be deleted or overwritten after a retention period.
File a Complaint with the Right Agencies
You may be able to report misconduct locally and federally.
The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division says people who believe their civil rights were violated can submit a report through its online form, and it notes that people mistreated by law enforcement can be directed to the right place. The FBI states that to report a civil rights violation, including “color of law” abuses by officials, you can contact your local FBI office or submit a tip online.
Possible complaint paths may include:
- The police department’s internal affairs or professional standards unit
- A civilian oversight board, if your city has one
- The county sheriff or jail administration, if the incident happened in custody
- The DOJ Civil Rights Division
- The FBI, especially for serious civil rights abuses by officials acting under color of law
Speak With a Civil Rights or Criminal Defense Lawyer
A lawyer can help you evaluate whether the issue involves false arrest, excessive force, unlawful search, retaliation, denial of medical care, or other violations. Legal help is especially important if criminal charges are still pending, because what you do in the civil complaint process can affect your criminal case.
If your Miranda rights were not read before questioning, that does not automatically make the arrest invalid, but it can still have legal consequences for how statements are used. Legal reference sources recommend discussing that issue with a defense attorney.
Common Signs Your Rights May Have Been Violated During an Arrest
Your case may deserve closer review if any of the following happened:
- You were arrested without a lawful basis
- Officers used force that seemed unnecessary or extreme
- You were beaten, choked, slammed, tased, or restrained after you were compliant
- You were denied needed medical care
- You were arrested after filming or questioning police conduct
- Officers searched your phone or property without valid legal authority
- You were pressured to talk after asking for a lawyer
- Officers wrote a report that seriously conflicts with video or witness evidence
Federal authorities specifically identify excessive force, false arrest, obstruction-related misconduct, and denial of medical care as civil rights concerns, they may investigate.
What Not to Do
After an arrest, avoid these common mistakes:
- Do not post every detail on social media immediately
- Do not delete messages, videos, or photos
- Do not contact officers directly
- Do not guess or exaggerate facts in a complaint
- Do not sign documents you do not understand
- Do not discuss the incident casually with investigators without legal advice
Accuracy and evidence matter more than emotion when building a strong complaint.
How Here’s Our Deal Can Help
If your rights were violated during an arrest, you do not have to sort it out alone. A strong case often starts with the basics: a clear timeline, preserved evidence, agency contact details, and the right complaint path.
At Here’s Our Deal, we help people organize incident details, identify the right agencies, and take informed steps after misconduct, harassment, or excessive force by government authorities. When the system feels confusing, structure matters.
Final Thoughts
If your rights were violated during an arrest, the best next steps are usually simple but urgent: stay calm, say you want to remain silent, ask for a lawyer, get medical care, preserve evidence, document everything, and report the misconduct through the right channels. These actions can protect both your safety and your ability to pursue accountability later.
If you have a problem with a government agency or police officer, report an incident now.