A mentor to kids and a member of the Police Athletic League is facing criminal charges for resisting arrest after being beaten severely by Miami Police on Halloween night. According to CBS4, the twenty two year old didn’t want the attention he is getting but after hearing of his charges, he wants to clear his name.
A YouTube video is floating around of the beating that took place on the night of October 31. You can plainly see many officers crowded around a man who is incidentally, already on the ground. One officer in particular is seen repeatedly punching the citizen.
According to the man’s defense attorney, the only action his client took during the incident that could have even remotely been perceived as resisting was covering his head during the beating. His hands remained over his head until the police beat him unconscious.
While the defense attorney was under the impression no charges would be brought, the local prosecutor’s office surprised him by filing charges this week in the incident. There was initially a charge of disorderly conduct, though that’s been dropped.
The fact that the disorderly conduct was dropped without negotiation suggests there wasn’t enough evidence to even prove the defendant warranted an arrest in the first place.
Soon after the video surfaced, Miami PD put two officers on administrative duty and launched and internal investigation, which remains ongoing.
Halloween night in Coconut Grove was apparently a little rowdy. This particular man’s attorney states they singled his client out for no reason to take their frustrations out on. He said “they were treating people like animals.”
According to local press reports, the man was placed in a headlock and punched in the head repeatedly. There seems to be no information about the extent of his injuries at this point, though he was taken to the hospital after the arrest was made.
Though police brutality is rare, it’s likely more common than we are made aware of through media outlets. Far more common is being treated unfairly by police. But, when it comes to a criminal case, sorting out what police actions were legal and which may have crossed the line is the job of your defense attorney.
Whether you are facing drug possession charges or even a violent crime, there are certain rules and procedures which the police must follow or risk having your charges dismissed.
If you’re facing criminal charges, contact our offices today for a free consultation.