NCJ Number
67313
Date Published
1980
Length
0 pages
Annotation
FOURTH OF A SIX-PART SERIES, THIS FILM DRAMATIZES ACTIONS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT MAY RESULT IN A DEPRIVATION OR DENIAL OF A PERSON'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS UNDER THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1871.
Abstract
DRAMATIZED INCIDENTS IN THE FILM, SHOW LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS VIOLATING THE RIGHTS OF DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS THROUGH FALSE ARRESTS, ILLEGAL SEARCH AND SEIZURE, PRETRIAL PUBLICITY, CONSPIRACY AND PREJURY IN A PRELIMINARY COURT HEARING, AND DENIAL OF FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. OTHER RIGHTS VIOLATIONS SHOWN IN THE FILM INCLUDE THE DENIAL OF MEDICAL ATTENTION TO AN INJURED PRISONER, THE DENIAL OF COUNSEL AND USE OF COERCION IN INTERROGATION, AND THE USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE IN A SCUFFLE WITH A SUSPECT. THE DEPRIVATION OF ONE'S RIGHTS UNDER THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION IS THE BASIS FOR THE MOST FREQUENT COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. SUCH COMPLAINTS ARISE UNDER THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT, WHICH CAN BE APPLIED AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WHO, WHILE ACTING UNDER COLOR OF STATE LAW, VIOLATE THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS. FURTHER, IT NEED NOT BE PROVEN THAT A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INTENDED TO VIOLATE THE PLAINTIFF'S RIGHTS; IT NEEDS ONLY TO BE PROVEN THAT THE OFFICER'S CONDUCT RESULTED IN A DEPRIVATION OF RIGHTS. SEE ALSO NCJ 67306. (AOP)