Civil Rights Litigation
Best & Sharp has a long and proven track record representing clients in state and federal courts in matters in which there is a claimed violation of civil rights. Best & Sharp has a long, proven track record in defending clients against claimed civil rights violations. We have expertise in defending all types of civil rights claims. Best & Sharp has defended municipalities, correctional facilities, and individuals in cases involving allegations of excessive force, due process violations, malicious prosecution, free speech deprivations, and unreasonable search and seizures. Because these cases often involve federal constitutional issues, they most often arise in federal court, and Best & Sharp has an active presence in all three federal district courts in Oklahoma. Best & Sharp has also argued numerous appellate cases involving alleged civil rights violations at the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Civil rights litigation typically involves complex issues related to constitutional rights and statutory law, along with case law interpreting those issues. This practice area can include the following types of litigation:
- Discrimination in the Workplace
- Eighth Amendment
- Equal Protection
- Excessive Force
- False Arrest
- False Imprisonment
- First Amendment
- Fourteenth Amendment
- Fourth Amendment
- Freedom of Speech, Association and Religion
- Inmate Medical Needs
- Land Use, Zoning and Condemnation
- Local and State Tort Claims Acts
- Municipal Policies, Training and Supervision
- Police Chase
- Procedural and Substantive Due Process
- Public Officials Liability
- Employee Discrimination and Wrongful Discharge Claims