Can You Sue the Police for Mistaken Identity?

Hey guys,

Quick question—can you sue the police if you’ve been detained or arrested because of mistaken identity? What steps would you need to take, and has anyone here been through this before?

Thanks in advance for any info!

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Hello there, you cannot. Instead, I recommend that you file a demand letter to the police force that arrested you. You might insist that they pay the cost as a result of their negligence, or you could face losing small claims court expenses.

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If an officer arrests someone for a crime but has no probable cause, the arrest may violate the person’s fourth amendment rights, and the person may launch a civil complaint as a result.

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Yes, you can sue the police for mistaken identity if it leads to wrongful arrest or harm. Legal claims involve proving negligence or violation of rights, often requiring legal counsel.

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