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 false arrest attorney Brooklyn NYC residents rely on, I represent people across this borough who were arrested without cause, had their charges dropped or dismissed, and were left wondering what their options are. Brooklyn is New York City’s most populous borough — and one of its most heavily policed. If you were falsely arrested in Brooklyn, you have rights and you have options.
False Arrest in Brooklyn — What You Need to Know
A false arrest occurs when NYPD officers detain or arrest you without probable cause or legal justification, violating your Fourth Amendment rights. You do not need to have been convicted — or even formally charged — to bring a false arrest claim. If you were detained without legal justification, that detention itself is the constitutional violation.
Common false arrest situations in Brooklyn:
- Wrongful arrests in Crown Heights, Flatbush, East New York, Brownsville, and Bed-Stuy
- Mistaken identity arrests — wrong person, wrong description
- Traffic stops used as pretexts to detain Black and Latino drivers without cause
- Arrests in retaliation for exercising First Amendment rights
- Racially motivated arrests without probable cause
- Charges filed then dismissed in Brooklyn Criminal Court or Kings County Supreme Court
Brooklyn’s Over-Policing Problem
Brooklyn has some of the most heavily policed neighborhoods in New York City. Precincts covering East New York, Brownsville, and Crown Heights have consistently ranked among the highest in the city for stop-and-frisk encounters, excessive force complaints, and wrongful arrests. The communities most affected are overwhelmingly Black and Latino — and they deserve an attorney who takes that seriously.
Since the 2020 repeal of Civil Rights Law Section 50-a, NYPD officer disciplinary records are publicly accessible. As a former NYPD detective, Kawan Lovelace knows exactly how to obtain those records and use them to build your case.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
A successful false arrest claim 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. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of preserving the evidence needed to maximize your recovery.
Why Acting Quickly Matters
NYPD body camera footage can be deleted after 90 days. Surveillance video from nearby businesses gets overwritten within weeks. Witnesses become harder to locate over time. A legal preservation demand sent immediately after an incident creates a legal obligation for the NYPD to retain evidence. Contacting a false arrest attorney Brooklyn NYC victims trust as soon as possible after a wrongful arrest is the single most important step you can take.
The 90-Day Deadline for Brooklyn False Arrest Claims
Under New York General Municipal Law Section 50-e you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the arrest. Miss this and your lawsuit is permanently barred.
Additional deadlines:
- 1 year and 90 days to file in Kings County Supreme Court
- 3 years for federal Section 1983 claims — no Notice of Claim required
Frequently Asked Questions
Which court handles false arrest cases in Brooklyn? State law claims are filed in Kings County Supreme Court. Federal Section 1983 claims are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Which NYPD precincts cover Brooklyn? Brooklyn is covered by the 60th through 94th precincts.
Who is Kawan Lovelace? Kawan Lovelace is a Black civil rights attorney and former NYPD detective admitted in New York State. He founded Lovelace Law PLLC in 2021 in Long Island City and represents victims of false arrest throughout Brooklyn and all five boroughs.
Contact Lovelace Law PLLC
Kawan Lovelace | False Arrest Attorney Brooklyn | Lovelace Law PLLC 28-07 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 📞 (718) 662-8265 | lovelacelaw.net Free consultation. No fees unless we win.
