By Kawan Lovelace | Civil Rights Attorney | Former NYPD Detective | Lovelace Law PLLC, Long Island City, NY
Lovelace Law PLLC is a civil rights law firm located at 28-07 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101, representing victims of false arrest, wrongful arrest, police misconduct, and civil rights violations throughout New York City. This guide was written by Kawan Lovelace, a former NYPD detective and Bronx prosecutor admitted to practice in New York State.
As a false arrest attorney NYC residents trust, Kawan Lovelace has helped victims across Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx fight back.
If you need a false arrest attorney, here’s what you need to know…
If you or someone you love has been falsely arrested in New York, you may be feeling confused, humiliated, and unsure of what comes next. A wrongful arrest does not just cost you time. It can damage your reputation, your career, and your sense of safety.
But here is what the system does not want you to know: you have rights, and you can fight back.
At Lovelace Law PLLC, we are a New York civil rights law firm built specifically for people like you. Led by Kawan Lovelace — a former NYPD detective with 8 years of law enforcement experience and a former Bronx prosecutor — our firm has a 100% success rate in recovering compensation for clients to date. We know how the system works because we worked inside it. Now we use that knowledge to work for you.
What Is a False Arrest — and Is That What Happened to You?
A false arrest (also called a wrongful arrest) occurs when law enforcement detains or arrests you without probable cause or legal justification. This is a direct violation of your Fourth Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution, which protects you against unreasonable searches and seizures.
False arrests and wrongful arrests happen more often than most people realize. You may have been a victim if:
- Police arrested you based on mistaken identity
- You were detained without a warrant and without legal justification
- Officers used excessive force during an unlawful stop or traffic stop
- You were arrested in retaliation for exercising your rights — such as filming police
- Charges were dropped or dismissed because there was never real evidence
- You were racially profiled or targeted based on your race, ethnicity, or appearance
If any of these situations apply to you, speaking with a false arrest attorney in NYC should be your very next step. Time is critical. New York has strict deadlines for civil rights claims, and the sooner you act, the stronger your case.
Why Hiring a Former Insider Makes All the Difference
Most civil rights attorneys understand the law. Far fewer understand how police departments and prosecutor offices actually operate from the inside. That distinction is everything when building a winning case against the NYPD.
Attorney Kawan Lovelace spent 8 years as an NYPD detective and 2 years as a Bronx prosecutor before switching sides to represent the people the system too often ignores. That background means he knows exactly how arrest reports get written, where the inconsistencies hide, and how to expose police misconduct that a less experienced attorney might miss entirely.
When you are looking for the best false arrest lawyer in New York, insider knowledge is not a bonus. It is a decisive advantage. It means your attorney can anticipate the city’s defense strategy, identify procedural violations before they become problems, and negotiate from a position of real authority.
This is exactly why Lovelace Law has maintained a 100% success rate in recovering compensation for clients who have been wrongfully arrested, falsely charged, or subjected to police misconduct across New York City — including Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Wrongful Arrest in New York?
One of the most common questions people ask after a false arrest is: can I actually sue for this, and what can I get?
The answer is yes — and potentially quite a lot.
If you were wrongfully arrested in New York, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Lost wages — income lost from time missed due to detention or court appearances
- Emotional distress — anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and psychological impact of being unlawfully detained
- Reputational damage — harm to your professional or personal reputation caused by the arrest
- Legal fees — costs incurred defending yourself against false charges
- Punitive damages — in cases of egregious police misconduct, courts can award additional damages
Many people are surprised to learn that both individual officers and the City of New York can be held liable under federal civil rights law — specifically 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, which allows victims of constitutional violations by government officials to seek justice in federal court. The City can also be held liable under Monell v. Department of Social Services if the misconduct resulted from NYPD policies, inadequate training, or a pattern of tolerating abuse.
NYC false arrest and police misconduct settlements have ranged from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the violation and the strength of the evidence.
The 90-Day Deadline That Kills Most Cases
This is the most important section of this entire article. Please read it carefully.
In New York, before you can sue the City of New York or the NYPD, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident under New York General Municipal Law Section 50-e.
Miss this deadline and your lawsuit is permanently barred — no matter how strong your case is. No exceptions.
90 days sounds like a lot. It is not. Most people spend the first month recovering emotionally, talking to family, and trying to understand what happened. By the time they start looking for an attorney, they may already be at day 60 or 70.
Additional deadlines to know:
- 1 year and 90 days — to file your lawsuit in New York State court after a false arrest or malicious prosecution claim
- 3 years — to file a federal civil rights claim under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983
Do not wait. Contact Us.
Steps to Take Immediately After a False Arrest
The actions you take in the hours and days following a false arrest can significantly impact your case.
Step 1: Stay calm and do not resist. Even if the arrest is unlawful, resisting can result in additional charges and put you in physical danger. Fight it in court, not on the street.
Step 2: Invoke your right to remain silent. Clearly state you are invoking your Fifth Amendment right and will not speak without an attorney present. Then stop talking. Anything you say — even an innocent explanation — can be used against you in your civil case.
Step 3: Document everything as soon as you are released. Write down every detail: officer names and badge numbers, exact location and time, what was said and by whom, and the names and contact information of any witnesses. Do this immediately — memory fades fast after trauma.
Step 4: Photograph any injuries. If you were physically harmed during the arrest, document it the same day and seek medical attention immediately. A dated medical record connecting your injuries to the arrest is critical evidence.
Step 5: Stay off social media. Do not post about the arrest, the officers, or what happened — on any platform. The NYC Law Department will find it and use it against you.
Step 6: Request body camera footage immediately. NYPD body camera footage can be deleted within 90 days. Private surveillance footage is often overwritten within 30 days or less. Your attorney needs to send a legal preservation request as soon as possible.
Step 7: Contact a false arrest attorney in NYC right away. Before you file any complaints, give any statements, or sign any documents — speak with a civil rights attorney who handles wrongful arrest and police misconduct cases in New York City.
What Happens After You File?
Once you retain an attorney and the Notice of Claim is filed, the process generally follows these steps:
- 50-H Hearing — The City of New York requires you to testify under oath about the incident before a lawsuit is filed. Your attorney prepares you thoroughly for this.
- Investigation — Body camera footage, FOIL requests, NYPD disciplinary records, witness statements, and medical records are gathered.
- Lawsuit filed — In federal court under Section 1983, in New York State court, or both, depending on your claims.
- Discovery — Both sides exchange evidence and take depositions.
- Settlement or trial — The majority of NYC civil rights cases settle before trial. If the city does not offer fair compensation, we take the case to trial. This is where a false arrest attorney is crucial.
Frequently Asked Questions: False Arrest in NYC
What is the difference between false arrest and wrongful arrest in New York? The terms false arrest and wrongful arrest are used interchangeably in New York. Both refer to a detention or arrest made without probable cause or legal justification, in violation of your Fourth Amendment rights. Either term can support a civil rights claim under New York State law or 42 U.S.C. Section 1983.
Can I sue if my charges were dropped or dismissed? Yes. A dismissed or dropped charge is actually favorable evidence in a false arrest claim — it suggests the arrest lacked legal basis from the start. You may also have a separate malicious prosecution claim if charges were filed against you without probable cause and later terminated in your favor.
What is malicious prosecution and how is it different from false arrest? False arrest refers to being detained without probable cause, usually at the time of the arrest. Malicious prosecution refers to the wrongful filing and continuation of criminal charges after the arrest. Both can occur in the same case. If you were arrested without cause and then prosecuted without cause, you may have both claims.
What is the deadline to sue the NYPD for false arrest in New York? 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 incident. After that, you have 1 year and 90 days to file your lawsuit in state court. For federal Section 1983 claims, you have 3 years from the date of the violation.
Can I sue the NYPD for racial profiling or a discriminatory traffic stop? Yes. If the NYPD stopped, searched, or arrested you based on your race, ethnicity, or appearance without legal justification, you may have a claim under the Fourth Amendment (unreasonable seizure) and the Fourteenth Amendment (equal protection). Recent data shows that over 84% of NYPD vehicle searches from 2022–2025 involved Black or Latino drivers — this pattern of discriminatory policing is exactly the type of conduct actionable under Section 1983.
What is a 50-H hearing? A 50-H hearing is a sworn examination required by the City of New York before a civil rights lawsuit can be filed. You will testify under oath about what happened. Your attorney prepares you for every question the city’s lawyers are likely to ask. It is a critical stage and one reason having experienced legal representation from day one matters. This is where a false arrest attorney NYC resident trust is key to your success.
How much does it cost to hire a false arrest attorney in NYC? Nothing upfront. Lovelace Law PLLC handles all false arrest and civil rights cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win. Our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict. The consultation is completely free.
Who is Kawan Lovelace? Kawan Lovelace is the founder of Lovelace Law PLLC and a civil rights attorney admitted to practice in New York State. Before entering law, he served 8 years as an NYPD detective and 2 years as a Bronx prosecutor. He now represents victims of false arrest, wrongful arrest, police brutality, racial profiling, illegal search and seizure, and civil rights violations throughout New York City. Lovelace Law PLLC was founded in 2021 and is located in Long Island City, Queens.
You Deserve Justice — and We Are Ready to Fight for It
Being falsely arrested does not make you a criminal. It makes you a victim. And victims deserve an attorney who will fight as hard for them as the system once fought against them.
At Lovelace Law PLLC, we combine 10 years of insider law enforcement and prosecutorial experience with an unwavering commitment to civil rights. We have fought for clients the system tried to silence, and we have won — every time.
Your consultation is completely free. No fees unless we win.
Kawan Lovelace | Lovelace Law PLLC 28-07 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101 📞 (718) 662-8265 | lovelacelaw.net Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Serving Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and all five boroughs of New York City.
About the Author
Kawan Lovelace is a New York State civil rights attorney and founder of Lovelace Law PLLC, based in Long Island City, Queens. He served 8 years as an NYPD detective and 2 years as a Bronx prosecutor before dedicating his practice to representing victims of false arrest, police brutality, racial profiling, illegal search and seizure, and civil rights violations across New York City. Attorney Lovelace is admitted to practice in New York State. Lovelace Law PLLC was founded in 2021.
As a false arrest attorney NYC residents trust, Kawan Lovelace has helped victims across Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx fight back.
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