Oppenheimer Firm
Our blog contains curated information regarding civil rights and wrongful conviction law. Please read to learn more, and should you need direct legal advice, contact us immediately. Based in Chicago, The Oppenheimer Firm has helped victims across the country gain the justice they deserve.
It may begin with a simple traffic stop or an officer approaching you while walking down the street. Based on this interaction, the offer may believe they have cause for a search, escalating the encounter to one that results in criminal charges. It may start with drug...
Body cameras have grown in use as a tool to help enhance police accountability and transparency. Law enforcement agencies throughout the country are adopting this technology. With increased use, we now have more evidence on how body camera footage can impact civil...
Being arrested can be a traumatic experience, especially if it happens without cause. If law enforcement detained you without a valid reason, you might wonder if you were a victim of false arrest. False arrest occurs when authorities detain or take someone into...
Deadly force by law enforcement is one of the most serious actions an officer can take. While they often face dangerous situations requiring split-second decisions, their authority is not unlimited. When an officer crosses that line and uses force without...
Protests allow people to express their views, but they can also lead to injury. If you suffer an injury from police actions during a protest, take immediate steps to protect your rights and preserve evidence. Acting quickly strengthens your case if you decide to...
The First Amendment establishes the right to protest the decisions and actions of the government. People living in the United States have the right to gather peacefully. They also have the right to freedom of speech, which includes the freedom to criticize government...
The Fourth Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. Law enforcement must obtain a warrant or meet a valid exception, such as consent or probable cause, before searching property. If officers conduct a search without...
Although most law enforcement officers strive to protect their communities and act with integrity, acts of police misconduct are not uncommon. They could be a single instance of bad judgment or a pattern of poor behavior. In either case, instances of excessive force,...
In today's turbulent political and cultural climate, protecting our civil rights is more important than ever. Digital evidence has become a game-changer in civil rights cases. From wrongful detentions to discrimination in public spaces, this powerful tool is reshaping...
Wrongful convictions happen to about 4-6% of people in U.S. prisons. This shows significant problems in the justice system. Black and Brown communities face more of these issues because of unfair biases and mistakes, like unreliable witness statements and...
