By Kawan Lovelace | Civil Rights Attorney | Former NYPD Detective | Lovelace Law PLLC, 28-07 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 | Admitted in New York State
As a civil rights attorney Queens NYC residents rely on, I built Lovelace Law PLLC in Long Island City specifically to serve the communities of this borough. Queens is the most ethnically diverse county in the United States. It is also a borough with a history of aggressive and discriminatory policing. If your civil rights were violated by the NYPD in Queens — I want to help.
Queens is home to millions of people from every background imaginable. When the NYPD violates the rights of Queens residents — through false arrest, excessive force, illegal searches, or racial profiling — those residents deserve an attorney who knows this borough, knows the law, and knows how the NYPD operates from the inside.
Civil Rights Cases I Handle in Queens
- False arrest and wrongful arrest in Jamaica, Flushing, Astoria, Jackson Heights, and surrounding areas
- Police brutality and excessive force throughout Queens County
- Illegal search and seizure during traffic stops and street encounters
- Racial profiling — particularly in South Jamaica, Hollis, and Southeast Queens
- Malicious prosecution — charges filed without probable cause that were later dismissed
- False imprisonment — unlawful detention beyond what the law permits
Why Queens Residents Choose Lovelace Law PLLC
Many Queens residents who contact Lovelace Law PLLC have never spoken to an attorney before. They are not sure whether what happened to them was illegal, whether they have a case, or whether they can afford a lawyer. The answers are: it may well have been, you may have more options than you think, and Lovelace Law works on contingency — meaning no fees unless we win. The consultation is free. There is no obligation. If your rights were violated, the only mistake is waiting too long to find out.
How Civil Rights Cases Work in Queens
When police violate your constitutional rights in Queens, you may have claims under both state and federal law. Under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, you can sue individual officers and the City of New York in federal court without filing a Notice of Claim. State law claims require a Notice of Claim filed within 90 days of the incident. Missing that deadline can permanently bar your state claims, which is why it is critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an incident.
Queens Courts and Legal Process
- Queens Supreme Court — for state law claims
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York — for federal Section 1983 claims
As a Queens-based attorney I am familiar with how local precincts operate and how Queens cases are handled by the NYC Law Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a civil rights claim in Queens? Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident. Federal Section 1983 claims have a 3-year statute of limitations.
Which NYPD precincts cover Queens? Queens is covered by the 100th through 115th precincts.
Who is Kawan Lovelace? Kawan Lovelace is a Black civil rights attorney, former NYPD detective, and former Bronx prosecutor admitted in New York State. He founded Lovelace Law PLLC in 2021 in Long Island City, Queens. Unlike firms that treat civil rights cases as a sideline, Lovelace Law focuses exclusively on holding the NYPD and other government actors accountable. That focus means deeper knowledge, better preparation, and stronger results for Queens residents whose rights have been violated.
Contact Lovelace Law PLLC
Kawan Lovelace | Civil Rights Attorney Queens | Lovelace Law PLLC 28-07 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 📞 (718) 662-8265 | lovelacelaw.net Free consultation. No fees unless we win.
