Syracuse, NY Unlawful Arrest Attorneys

Fighting Back Against Unjust Arrests

Getting arrested when you’ve done nothing wrong isn’t just humiliating. It’s a complete violation of your rights. One minute you’re going about your day, and the next, you're in cuffs for no good reason. It’s terrifying, confusing, and deeply unfair. And the aftermath can haunt you for years.

Our unlawful arrest lawyers at Horn Wright, LLP, help New Yorkers stand up after they've been wrongfully arrested. These are violations that can wreck careers, damage reputations, and leave lasting emotional scars. We hold law enforcement accountable when they overstep, and we push back hard.

Contact us today on (855) 465-4622 to arrange your free, no-pressure consultation. 

The Fallout From a Bad Arrest Doesn’t Just Disappear

A wrongful arrest doesn’t go away when you’re released. The damage follows you. It can affect your job, your mental health, and how others see you, even if you were never charged.

• Anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder: Getting shoved into a cruiser or locked in a holding cell does more than scare you. It changes you. Flashbacks, panic attacks, and a deep distrust of authority are common. You might stop going out as much or avoid places that remind you of it. That’s trauma.
• Legal bills and court costs for charges that never should’ve stuck: Even if the case is dismissed, the costs add up. Lawyers, missed work, and court appearances all take their toll. Some people go into debt over something they never should’ve faced. That financial burden is real and wrong.
• Missed work and lost wages: A single arrest can cost you your job or force you to take unpaid time off. Employers don’t always wait around for explanations. Even short-term detentions can throw off your income. And the stress of catching up can be brutal.
• Damaged reputation and public embarrassment: Being seen in cuffs sticks with people. Social media spreads fast. Some folks never look at you the same way again. And the stain can last long after the charges are dropped.

Getting Arrested Without Cause Isn’t Just Wrong, It’s Illegal

Police don’t get to detain or arrest you just because they feel like it. The Constitution says they need probable cause. That means real evidence, not a hunch or a grudge. When officers skip that step, they’re breaking the law.

An unlawful arrest might happen during a protest, a traffic stop, or even while you’re walking home. Maybe they mistook you for someone else or maybe they just didn’t like how you looked. Whatever the excuse, it doesn’t make it legal. And it sure doesn’t make it okay.

Too often, officers act first and try to justify it later. That’s not how the law works. The burden should never fall on you to prove your innocence when there wasn’t even a legal reason to arrest you in the first place. That’s a system flipped backward and we’re not okay with that.

We Don’t Wait Around, We Go After the Truth Immediately

We act fast because every day that passes puts your case at risk. 

Footage gets deleted, witnesses disappear, and memories fade. That’s why we demand immediate access to bodycam video and security footage that might tell a different story than what’s in the police report.

We also talk to anyone who was nearby. People who saw what actually happened. Their statements can make all the difference. Then we break down the timeline, report inconsistencies, and show exactly where things went wrong.

Our civil rights lawyers don’t just stop at the surface. We comb through records, cross-reference timelines, and consult independent experts when needed. Every fact matters, and we don’t let anything slide just because it’s inconvenient for the other side.

The Law Is On Your Side and We Use It to Hit Back

• You have the right to sue under Section 1983: This federal law allows you to hold officers accountable when they violate your constitutional rights. If you were arrested without cause, this is your path to justice.
• New York has additional protections: State laws add another layer of accountability. These can strengthen your case and increase what you're eligible to recover.
• You can go after the officer, the department, or even the city: These aren’t symbolic lawsuits. They’re real legal actions that demand change and compensation.
• The outcome could include significant damages: From financial losses to emotional harm, the law lets you seek recovery for all that you’ve suffered.
• You’re not just making it right for yourself: These cases set precedents. They shine a spotlight on misconduct and make future abuse less likely.

What You Can Recover After an Unlawful Arrest

A successful claim can get you compensated for everything you went through after the wrongful arrest. That includes the emotional toll, financial losses, and the disruption to your life.

• Lost wages or job opportunities: If you were fired, couldn’t get to work, or missed out on a promotion, you can claim that. Every paycheck counts. And your future shouldn’t suffer because someone overstepped.
• Punitive damages in severe cases: If the officer’s conduct was particularly reckless or malicious, you might be able to seek extra damages. These aren’t just about money. They’re about sending a message. And sometimes, they’re the only thing that gets departments to pay attention.
• Medical and therapy expenses: If the arrest caused physical harm or triggered emotional trauma, treatment costs should be covered. Therapy, medication, and even hospitalization might be part of your recovery. But that’s not an extra. It’s essential.
• Pain, suffering, and humiliation: Courts recognize the deep personal impact of being arrested without cause. The fear, the shame, the confusion. It all matters. And you deserve to be compensated for it.

This Isn’t Just in the Movies, It Happens in Everyday Life

You don’t have to be a high-profile case to be wrongfully arrested. These things happen in grocery store parking lots, near subway stations, or outside apartment buildings. All it takes is a false accusation or a cop having a bad day.

We’ve seen people arrested for recording officers with their phones. Others were detained for asking questions or asserting their rights. And in neighborhoods across New York, young people are stopped and cuffed without a shred of evidence. It’s real. It’s happening. And it’s not your fault.

It can happen when you’re wearing a hoodie, when you speak up, or when you’re just in the wrong place at the wrong time. None of that should land you in cuffs, but too often, it does. We don’t accept that as normal. We treat every wrongful arrest like the serious rights violation it is.

When the System Closes Ranks, We Push Until It Opens

Cops and prosecutors don’t always admit when they mess up. They close ranks. They write reports that justify the unjustifiable. And they hope no one calls them out. That’s where we come in.

We’ve seen how departments try to spin the story. We’ve seen evidence disappear or get buried in red tape. But we don’t back down. If your rights were violated, we’ll keep pushing until the truth comes out and we’ll demand justice every step of the way.

Our job is to shake the system until the lies fall out. We know how these institutions work, and we know how they try to protect their own. We dig, we question, and we expose what they want to keep hidden. You deserve the truth and we don’t stop until we get it.

Horn Wright, LLP, Doesn’t Let Unlawful Arrests Slide

If you were wrongfully arrested in New York, don’t shrug it off. This is a legal violation.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our civil rights attorneys take these cases seriously and treat our clients with respect, compassion, and relentless advocacy. You didn’t deserve what happened. 

Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen again. Contact our office to request your complimentary case review at one of the country’s most respected law firms.