4th Amendment Excessive Force In Utah
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The Standard Whether the force used is excessive depends on “whether the officers' actions are “objectively reasonable” in light of the facts and circumstances confronting them, without regard to their underlying intent or motivation.” Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 397, 109 S. Ct.
Excessive force claims are civil suits, so the burden of proof is on the plaintiff. If you are pursuing a civil rights case against law enforcement, it falls on you to provide enough evidence for the court to determine that your civil rights were violated.
In order to establish that defendant used excessive force, plaintiff must prove both of the following by a preponderance of the evidence: First: Defendant intentionally committed certain acts. Second: Those acts violated plaintiff's Fourth Amendment right not to be subjected to excessive force.
The legal standard requires that force be objectively reasonable, considering the totality of the circumstances. Courts often analyze excessive force cases by looking at the severity of the crime, whether the suspect posed an immediate threat, and if they were attempting to evade arrest.
Objective facts must indicate that the person posed an immediate threat right before the officer used force. Other relevant factors include whether the person was committing a crime, as well as whether the person was trying to flee.
Excessive force can take many forms, ranging from unnecessary physical violence to the misuse of tasers, batons, or firearms. These incidents can lead to severe injuries, wrongful deaths, and long-lasting psychological trauma.
Proving Excessive Force You do not have to prove this beyond a reasonable doubt, but only by a preponderance of the evidence, essentially showing the excessive force “more likely than not” occurred.
