How long do I have to file a civil rights claim in NYC?

For claims against the City of New York or NYPD, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident, then file your lawsuit within 1 year and 90 days. For federal civil rights claims under Section 1983, you have 3 years from the date of the violation.

Can I sue the NYPD for violating my civil rights?

Yes. You can sue individual officers under Section 1983 of the federal Civil Rights Act, and you can also sue the City of New York itself if the misconduct resulted from NYPD policies, customs, inadequate training, or a pattern of tolerating abuse.

How much does it cost to hire a civil rights attorney in NYC?

Nothing upfront. Lovelace Law works on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case. If we secure a settlement or verdict, we take a percentage of the recovery.

Can I sue if I was arrested but not convicted?

Yes. You may have a false arrest claim if police arrested you without probable cause, and a malicious prosecution claim if charges were initiated without probable cause and later dismissed or resulted in acquittal.

What is qualified immunity?

Qualified immunity protects police officers from lawsuits unless they violated a clearly established constitutional right. It is a major obstacle in civil rights cases but can be overcome — particularly through municipal liability claims against the City of New York, which are not protected by qualified immunity.

News From Our Team

Civil Rights

What to Do If You Were Falsely Arrested in New York: Know Your Rights and Fight Back

By Kawan Lovelace | Civil Rights Attorney | Former NYPD Detective | Lovelace Law PLLC,

June 1, 2026 No Comments

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