By definition, racial profiling occurs when “law enforcement personnel use race or ethnicity as a factor in articulating reasonable suspicion to stop, question or arrest an individual.” Racial profiling is against the law and should not be tolerated. If you feel like you have been a victim of racial profiling, it is important that you seek legal counsel to get the justice you deserve.
Contact Minnesota discrimination lawyer, Zorislav R. Leyderman for a free consultation about your case. He will be able to help you understand your civil rights and offer professional and confidential service to help you move past this difficult situation. Contact Zorislav R. Leyderman at 612-876-6626 today.
Racial Profiling and Discrimination
Police officers may patrol areas that are considered hot beds for criminal activity. If you happen to be in this area, then you may be pulled over illegally or stopped and questioned without any known reason. “Looking suspicious” or “fitting the profile” are not legal grounds to stop and arrest someone.
Unless a police officer observes a criminal act taking place or has credible information, then he is bound by the Fourth and the Fourteenth Amendments. What this means is that your rights are protected from illegal searches and seizures as well as illegal arrests.
Racial Profiling – “Driving While Black”
“Driving while Black” is a common phrase used to describe racial profiling, meaning that a police officer pulls over an African-American driver for no apparent reason other than the fact that he is black. Citizens are illegally pulled over for “driving while black” on a daily basis. Racial profiling does not only happen in vehicles. You may be stopped and questioned by a police officer for standing on the street corner minding your own business only because of your race. You may be arrested or questioned simply because you are walking down the road. All of these instances constitute racial profiling.
In many instances, you may be pulled over for something that is unjustified, such as ‘erratic driving.’ This may just be an excuse to search the vehicle for drugs or weapons, or the officers may have stopped you only to look for evidence of another criminal offense. Police officers may also stop you on the street, harass you and further aggravate you into lashing out so that they can arrest you on a disorderly conduct charge. If you believe that the officers’ conduct was racially motivated, then you may have a case for racial discrimination against the officers.
Illegal Searches and Seizures
Racial profiling often involves an illegal search and seizure. If you were stopped and searched because of your race or ethnicity, whether it is African-American, Hispanic, or any other minority, then contact Zorislav R. Leyderman, Attorney at Law, today to discuss your legal options.
Fight Back Against Racial Discrimination
Racial profiling is a form of discrimination, it is against the law, and it is a violation of your civil rights. Zorislav R. Leyderman is a trusted and professional Minnesota civil rights lawyer that is committed to putting an end to discrimination in all settings, including racial profiling.
Contact Minnesota discrimination lawyer Zorislav R. Leyderman today at 612-876-6626 and take a stand against racial profiling.