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Choosing a Lawyer for Your False Imprisonment Case

Choosing a Lawyer for Your False Imprisonment Case

The Attorney You Choose Can Change Everything

When someone locks you up without cause, even for a short while, it changes you. The fear, the humiliation, the anger… those don’t vanish when the door opens. The question becomes: who’s going to fight for you now?

The truth is, the lawyer you choose can make or break your case. False imprisonment cases aren’t like simple accident claims. Police officers deny wrongdoing. Employers cover for each other. Corporations have legal teams ready to minimize blame. Your attorney is the person who levels that playing field.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve sat across from clients who were terrified their stories wouldn’t be believed. With the wrong lawyer, that fear can become reality. With our civil rights attorneys, you have a chance not just to win compensation but to hold the powerful accountable.

Why Experience in False Imprisonment Cases Matters

A lawyer who’s never handled a false imprisonment case before is like a rookie thrown into a championship game. They may know the rules, but they don’t know the strategy.

False imprisonment sits in a tricky place. It’s both a tort, under New York law, confinement without justification, and often a civil rights violation, tied to the Fourth Amendment and due process under the Fourteenth Amendment. An attorney who hasn’t navigated those waters may miss key arguments.

For example: if you were detained by the NYPD without probable cause, your lawyer needs to know you’ve only got 90 days to file a Notice of Claim against the City of New York. Miss that, and your case might never get off the ground. That’s not the kind of deadline an inexperienced attorney remembers.

Experience also shapes judgment. An attorney who’s tried dozens of these cases knows which defenses fall apart and which ones sometimes stick. They know that juries respond strongly to humiliation, being handcuffed in front of neighbors, being dragged out of a store, not just to physical injuries.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer

Finding the right lawyer starts with asking the right questions. Too many people assume they’re the ones being interviewed. In reality, you’re the one hiring. Don’t be afraid to dig.

Start with the basics:

  • Have you handled false imprisonment or civil rights cases before? If they hesitate, that’s a red flag.
  • What kinds of results have you achieved? You’re not just looking for dollar amounts but for real victories, settlements, or policy changes.
  • How will you investigate my case? A serious lawyer should mention subpoenaing records, interviewing witnesses, or demanding surveillance footage.
  • Who will actually handle my case? At some firms, senior partners meet you once and then hand you off to junior lawyers. You deserve to know who’s actually fighting for you.

Pay attention not only to the answers but to how they answer. Do they speak in plain English, or do they hide behind legal jargon? Do they seem rushed, or do they listen? Those small cues tell you how they’ll treat your case down the line.

The Importance of Trial Experience and Civil Rights Knowledge

Most cases end in settlements. But sometimes, defendants dig in, and suddenly you’re headed for trial. That’s when you find out whether your lawyer can really perform.

In trial, facts matter, but so does delivery. A skilled attorney can cross-examine a police officer and expose contradictions without alienating a jury. They can explain technical points, like why the “probable cause” defense doesn’t fit, in a way jurors understand. A lawyer without courtroom experience may stumble under pressure, and strong cases have been lost that way.

Civil rights knowledge is just as critical. Many false imprisonment cases also involve 42 U.S.C. §1983, which allows lawsuits for violations of constitutional rights. These cases open the door to attorney’s fees under §1988 and often highlight systemic issues. An attorney who doesn’t understand civil rights law may focus only on the short-term damages, leaving bigger opportunities untapped.

Unlike Maine, New York’s Broad Civil Protections Require Lawyers with State-Specific Expertise

Where you file matters. Take Maine: courts there are less generous with damages and more conservative with civil rights claims. Victims often struggle to recover meaningful compensation.

New York is different. Courts here recognize not just economic losses but also the emotional and psychological harm unlawful confinement creates. Humiliation, reputational damage, fear — these count. State laws also impose specific procedural requirements. The Notice of Claim rules for cases against government agencies are strict, but if you follow them, the courts provide stronger remedies.

That’s why your lawyer needs to know New York’s landscape specifically. Strategies that might work in another state may flop here, and vice versa. A lawyer rooted in New York practice knows how local judges interpret cases, how juries react, and how to maximize the protections New York law already offers.

Why Resources and Investigative Skills Matter in These Cases

False imprisonment claims often rise or fall on evidence. And gathering that evidence takes resources. A lawyer working alone, without support, may miss what a larger, more prepared team can uncover.

The right firm should be able to:

  • Hire investigators to track down witnesses and obtain security footage before it’s erased.
  • Work with medical experts to document bruises, sprains, or other injuries tied to the confinement.
  • Bring in psychologists to explain how trauma, anxiety, or PTSD stem directly from the unlawful detention.
  • Use discovery tools under CPLR Article 31 to dig into internal police reports, company records, or training manuals.

Resources turn allegations into proof. Without them, defendants will argue it’s just your word against theirs. With them, you can build a record that’s hard to deny.

How to Find a Lawyer Who Truly Fights for Victims

Beyond skill and resources lies something harder to measure but easy to feel: commitment. Some attorneys treat clients like case numbers. Others treat them like people. The difference shows in how they listen, how quickly they return calls, and how willing they are to explain complex points in ways you actually understand.

When you meet a lawyer, ask yourself: Do they take my story seriously? Do they seem to care, or are they already thinking about the next case? Do I trust them enough to share details that may be painful to say out loud?

Finding the right lawyer isn’t just about credentials. It’s about trust and chemistry. False imprisonment claims can take months or years. You need someone you’re comfortable walking beside for the long haul — someone who won’t give up when the defense throws roadblocks in the way.

Horn Wright, LLP, Has the Skill and Dedication to Take on Your Case

The right lawyer changes everything. They know the law, they have the resources, and most importantly, they have the drive to fight until the end. At Horn Wright, LLP, our civil rights attorneys bring together years of civil rights and false imprisonment experience, courtroom skill, investigative strength, and client dedication. We don’t just file claims, we dismantle defenses, expose contradictions, and tell stories in court that juries can’t ignore. If you’ve been confined unlawfully, we’ll stand with you, every step of the way, until those responsible are held to account.

What Sets Us Apart From The Rest?

Horn Wright, LLP is here to help you get the results you need with a team you can trust.

  • Client-Focused Approach
    We’re a client-centered, results-oriented firm. When you work with us, you can have confidence we’ll put your best interests at the forefront of your case – it’s that simple.
  • Creative & Innovative Solutions

    No two cases are the same, and neither are their solutions. Our attorneys provide creative points of view to yield exemplary results.

  • Experienced Attorneys

    We have a team of trusted and respected attorneys to ensure your case is matched with the best attorney possible.

  • Driven By Justice

    The core of our legal practice is our commitment to obtaining justice for those who have been wronged and need a powerful voice.