By Kawan Lovelace | Civil Rights Attorney | Former NYPD Detective & Bronx Prosecutor | Lovelace Law PLLC, 28-07 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 | Admitted in New York State
As a false arrest attorney Bronx NYC residents rely on, I bring something no other civil rights attorney in New York City can offer: I spent two years as a prosecutor right here in the Bronx before becoming a civil rights attorney. I watched cases come through Bronx Criminal Court. I saw how arrests got made, how reports got written, and how the city’s legal team worked to protect officers whose conduct was indefensible. Now I use everything I learned inside that system to fight for Bronx residents who were wrongfully arrested by the NYPD.
What Is a False Arrest in the Bronx?
A false arrest — also called a wrongful arrest — occurs when NYPD officers detain or arrest you without probable cause or legal justification, violating your Fourth Amendment rights.
Common false arrest situations in the Bronx:
- Arrested based on mistaken identity — wrong description, wrong neighborhood
- Detained during a traffic stop without legal justification
- Arrested in retaliation for filming officers or asserting your rights
- Racially profiled and arrested without probable cause
- Charges filed then dropped in Bronx Criminal Court
- Arrested based on a faulty or expired warrant
The Bronx and Wrongful Arrest
The Bronx has consistently experienced some of the highest rates of NYPD stops, searches, and arrests — disproportionately targeting Black and Latino residents. As a former Bronx prosecutor I know how Bronx Criminal Court processes cases — which means I know when an arrest was made to generate a case rather than because there was real probable cause.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
A successful false arrest lawsuit can result in compensation for time spent in custody, emotional distress, damage to your reputation, lost wages, and legal fees. Under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, if you win your federal claim the court may require the defendant to pay your attorney fees. You do not need to have been convicted — or even formally charged — to bring a false arrest claim. The unlawful detention itself is the constitutional violation.
Why Acting Quickly Matters
Evidence in false arrest cases disappears fast. NYPD body camera footage can be deleted after 90 days. Surveillance video from nearby businesses gets overwritten within weeks. Witnesses move or become harder to locate. The sooner a preservation demand goes out, the stronger your case. Contacting an attorney immediately after a wrongful arrest is the single most important step you can take to protect your claim.
Critical Deadline
Under New York General Municipal Law Section 50-e, you must file a Notice of Claim against the City of New York within 90 days of the arrest. Miss this and your lawsuit is permanently barred.
Additional deadlines:
- 1 year and 90 days to file in Bronx Supreme Court
- 3 years for federal Section 1983 claims — no Notice of Claim required
Frequently Asked Questions
Which court handles false arrest cases in the Bronx? State law claims are filed in Bronx Supreme Court. Federal Section 1983 claims are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Which NYPD precincts cover the Bronx? The Bronx is covered by the 40th through 52nd precincts.
Who is Kawan Lovelace? Kawan Lovelace is a 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 and represents victims of false arrest throughout the Bronx and all five boroughs.
Contact Lovelace Law PLLCKawan Lovelace | False Arrest Attorney Bronx | Lovelace Law PLLC 28-07 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 📞 (718) 662-8265 | lovelacelaw.net Free consultation. No fees unless we win.
