When police officers break the law, the system that should protect you becomes the threat. If you or a loved one faced police brutality, false arrest, or NYPD misconduct in Queens, you need a Queens police misconduct lawyer with real experience. At The Orlow Firm, our civil rights attorneys have fought for the rights of injured New Yorkers from our Flushing office for over 40 years.
Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation | Se Habla Espanol
What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm's attorneys explain how they represent people harmed by police misconduct in New York City, including excessive force, false arrest, and civil rights cases.
Most police misconduct lawsuits rest on one law: 42 U.S.C. Section 1983. This federal civil rights law lets you sue police officers and other officials who violate your rights while on duty. If the officer was acting under police authority when the misconduct happened, Section 1983 applies.
The rights at stake include the Fourth Amendment (protection from unreasonable search, seizure, and excessive force), the Fifth Amendment (due process), and the Fourteenth Amendment (equal protection). You can sue both the officers and the City of New York.
In 2021, NYC became the first major city to ban qualified immunity for NYPD officers in excessive force and illegal search cases. This law (Int. 2220-A) removed a major barrier that had shielded officers from personal liability in city court. It is now easier for people harmed by police to get justice.
Police misconduct claims often use a dual legal strategy. Federal Section 1983 claims carry a three-year deadline. State tort claims against the City must be filed within one year and 90 days under General Municipal Law Section 50-i. Brian Orlow and Adam Orlow are both admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, where federal civil rights claims from Queens are filed. Steven Orlow, the firm's Founder, is a former Assistant District Attorney (Kings County) and former Counsel to the Queens County Executive. He brings insider knowledge of how government entities operate and defend these claims.
Types of Queens Police Misconduct Claims We Handle
Our attorneys represent people across the full range of police misconduct, including:
Excessive Force and Police Brutality
Physical force beyond what is needed during arrests, stops, or encounters. This includes punching, kicking, misuse of tasers, bean bag rounds, and firearms. As experienced NYPD excessive force attorneys in Queens, we recovered $475,000 for a woman shot in the face with a bean bag gun who lost her eye. We also recovered $200,000 for a teenager kicked in the face by an NYPD officer who needed jaw fracture surgery.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
False Arrest and Wrongful Arrest
Arrest without probable cause, including cases where officers make up evidence to justify the arrest. As a false arrest lawyer in Queens, we secured $275,000 for a parking attendant who was assaulted and falsely arrested, requiring shoulder surgery.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Malicious Prosecution
Keeping criminal charges going when the person is innocent or the evidence was made up. To bring a malicious prosecution claim, the criminal case must have ended in your favor.
Illegal Search and Seizure
Searches of people, vehicles, or homes without a warrant or valid reason. This includes illegal stop-and-frisk encounters.
Wrongful Conviction
Cases where bad police work led to the conviction of an innocent person. This includes coerced confessions, hidden evidence, and witness tampering.
Failure to Intervene
Officers who see misconduct by fellow officers and fail to stop it can be held personally liable under federal law.
Retaliation
Punishment for using your rights, such as filming police or filing complaints.
In-Custody Abuse
Assaults or denial of medical care while in police custody or jail. We recovered $1.25 million for the family of a diabetic man who died after being denied insulin for 40 hours in custody. We also recovered $400,000 for an inmate sexually assaulted by a corrections officer.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm's attorneys explain the types of police misconduct cases the firm handles and how they approach civil rights litigation in New York City.
The CCRB Complaint Process and Why It Is Not Enough
The Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) is New York City's civilian oversight agency for police misconduct. It reviews complaints in four areas: Force, Abuse of Authority, Discourtesy, and Offensive Language (FADO). You can file a CCRB complaint online, by phone (1-800-341-2272 or 311), by mail, in person at any precinct, or via social media.
But filing a CCRB complaint alone will not protect your rights. The data proves it.
Our review of CCRB records shows that Queens residents filed 22,104 complaints against police from 2000 to 2025. Only 6.1% were upheld. The CCRB found the officer at fault in just 1,357 cases out of more than 22,000. Even when misconduct is proven, the results are weak. Our review of penalty data found that 24.6% of proven complaints citywide led to zero penalty from the NYPD. Only 27 officers out of all proven cases were fired, a rate of just 0.2%.
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Why a CCRB Complaint Alone Is Not Enough Queens CCRB data, 2000-2025 | 22,104 total complaints analyzed
- 22,104 complaints filed by Queens residents (2000-2025)
- 6.1% upheld by CCRB (only 1,357 out of 22,104)
- 24.6% of proven complaints got zero penalty from the NYPD
What the CCRB Cannot Do:
- Pay you for injuries, lost wages, or emotional harm
- Replace filing a Notice of Claim or lawsuit
- Fire officers (only 27 fired, a rate of 0.2%)
- Act after 18 months (statute of limitations)
A civil lawsuit can get you compensation for every harm you suffered.
The CCRB also works under an 18-month window. It can only recommend discipline within 18 months of the misconduct. After that, even proven findings may go unpunished.
A CCRB complaint does not pay you for your injuries, lost wages, or emotional harm. It does not replace filing a Notice of Claim or lawsuit. These are separate tracks. Our attorneys can help you with both the complaint and the civil lawsuit at the same time. We make sure no deadline is missed and every path to justice is pursued.
Queens Police Misconduct by the Numbers
No other Queens law firm has done the research we have. Our analysis of over 22,000 CCRB complaint records shows patterns that every Queens resident should know.
Precincts with the Most Complaints
The 103rd Precinct (Jamaica, Hollis, St. Albans) leads all Queens precincts with 2,709 complaints and 3,841 allegations since 2000. The 113th Precinct (South Jamaica, Springfield Gardens) ranks second with 2,209 complaints. These two precincts alone make up 22.2% of all Queens police misconduct complaints.
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Queens Precincts with the Most CCRB Complaints (2000-2025) Source: NYC Open Data CCRB complaint records, analyzed by The Orlow Firm
- 103rd Precinct (Jamaica, Hollis, St. Albans): 2,709 complaints
- 113th Precinct (South Jamaica, Springfield Gardens): 2,209 complaints
- 114th Precinct (Astoria, Long Island City): 2,013 complaints
- 105th Precinct (Queens Village): 1,797 complaints
- 101st Precinct (Far Rockaway): 1,726 complaints
The top two precincts alone account for 22.2% of all Queens complaints.
What Types of Misconduct Are Most Common
Abuse of Authority is the most common type, making up 53.1% of all Queens claims (16,257 total). Physical force is the single most reported act, with 6,660 reports. That is more than the next three types combined. Force claims have the lowest proven rate at just 2.7%. Abuse of Authority has the highest at 11.1%.
Who Files Complaints
More than half (51.6%) of Queens complaints involve encounters where no arrest or summons was made. Officers started contact with no criminal basis. Black residents file 42.6% of Queens police misconduct claims despite being roughly 19% of the borough's population per 2020 Census data.
When Misconduct Occurs
Evening hours (6 PM to midnight) account for 33.6% of complaints. 7 PM is the peak hour for reported misconduct.
Trends Over Time
Proven rates have gone up a great deal, from roughly 3.2% between 2000 and 2010 to 11.8% in 2024. Complaints also surged after the pandemic. Queens recorded 864 complaints in 2023, up 47% from the 2021 low of 590.
Critical Deadlines for Queens Police Misconduct Claims
Missing a deadline can destroy your police misconduct case for good. Here are the deadlines you must know:
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Critical Deadlines for Police Misconduct Claims
- 90 Days -- Notice of Claim (GML Section 50-e). MOST URGENT DEADLINE.
- 1 Year + 90 Days -- State tort lawsuit (GML Section 50-i)
- 3 Years -- Federal Section 1983 claim
Do not wait. The 90-day clock starts on the date of the incident. Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
90-Day Notice of Claim (GML Section 50-e)
You must file a Notice of Claim with the NYC Comptroller's Office within 90 days of the incident. This keeps your state law claims against the City alive. It is the most urgent deadline in any police misconduct case.
One Year and 90 Days (GML Section 50-i)
The deadline to file a state tort lawsuit against the City of New York is one year and 90 days from the date of the incident.
Three Years (42 U.S.C. Section 1983)
Federal civil rights claims have a three-year deadline, based on New York's personal injury law. Even if you miss the 90-day Notice of Claim for state claims, federal claims under Section 1983 may still work. But you lose the right to name the City as a defendant under state law.
The 50-h Hearing
After filing a Notice of Claim, the City can require a hearing (called a 50-h hearing) before a lawsuit is filed. Your testimony at this hearing goes into the case record, so having a lawyer by your side matters.
Courts may allow a late Notice of Claim in certain cases, such as those involving minors, mental incapacity, or reliance on settlement talks. Special tolling rules under CPLR 208 may also apply in cases involving infancy or insanity.
Do not wait. Call The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 right away. The 90-day clock starts on the date of the incident.
Compensation in Queens Police Misconduct Cases
New York City pays hundreds of millions each year to settle police misconduct lawsuits. In 2024, the City paid $205.6 million in police misconduct settlements (Legal Aid Society). In 2025, the City paid over $117 million across 1,044 settlements (Legal Aid Society / ABC7 NY). Since 2018, NYC has paid over $834 million in police misconduct settlements (Legal Aid Society).
If your rights were violated, you may be entitled to:
Economic Damages
Medical bills (ER visits, surgery, rehab, ongoing care), lost wages, and lost earning power from your injuries. This also covers any time spent wrongfully jailed.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, shame, loss of enjoyment of life, and PTSD. Even cases without physical injury can lead to large awards for the mental harm of a civil rights violation.
Punitive Damages
These are available against officers in federal Section 1983 claims when conduct is extreme. You cannot get punitive damages against the City of New York in state court. But they are a strong tool to hold officers accountable.
Case value depends on how bad the injuries are, what rights were violated, and how long the harm lasted. It also depends on whether criminal charges were filed, their outcome, and the strength of evidence like video and witness testimony.
What to Do After Police Misconduct in Queens
Acting fast after a police encounter can make your case much stronger:
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Seek medical care right away. Go to the nearest ER or urgent care. Have every injury written up, even minor ones. Jamaica Hospital, Queens Hospital Center, and Elmhurst Hospital all treat and document injuries from police encounters.
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Write down everything. Record every detail as soon as you can: date, time, location, badge numbers, patrol car numbers, and a detailed account of what happened. Take photos of all visible injuries. Keep the clothing you were wearing.
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Get witness information. Collect names and contact details from anyone who saw the encounter. Bystander cell phone video has become key evidence in misconduct cases.
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Do not resist or argue at the scene. Protect yourself physically. Legal challenges to the officer's conduct happen later, in a courtroom.
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Request body-worn camera footage. NYPD officers must wear body cameras. Our CCRB data review found that only 9.9% of Queens complaints had BWC evidence in the past. Cameras are now on all officers, making this footage key evidence in current cases.
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File a CCRB complaint. Call 1-800-341-2272 or file online at nyc.gov/ccrb. This creates a parallel record but does not replace your civil claim.
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Contact a police misconduct attorney right away. The 90-day Notice of Claim deadline starts on the date of the incident. If you have a pending criminal case, talk to your criminal defense lawyer before giving statements to the CCRB or Internal Affairs.
View text version of this infographic
What to Do After Police Misconduct - 7 Step Checklist
- Seek medical care right away -- Go to the nearest ER. Have every injury documented.
- Write down everything -- Date, time, badge numbers, patrol car numbers. Take photos.
- Get witness information -- Collect names and contact info. Bystander video is key evidence.
- Do not resist or argue at the scene -- Protect yourself. Legal challenges happen later in court.
- Request body-worn camera footage -- All NYPD officers now wear body cameras. This is key evidence.
- File a CCRB complaint -- Call 1-800-341-2272 or file at nyc.gov/ccrb. Does not replace a lawsuit.
- Contact a police misconduct attorney -- The 90-day Notice of Claim deadline starts on the date of the incident.
Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation.
Call The Orlow Firm at (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation. We can come to you if you cannot come to us. Se Habla Espanol.
What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm's attorneys discuss what counts as a false arrest under New York law and explain your legal options if you were arrested without probable cause.
Queens Neighborhoods and Precincts We Serve
Our main office at 71-18 Main Street in Flushing has served Queens residents since 1982. Adam Orlow, Managing Partner and former President of the Queens County Bar Association (2023-2024), leads the firm's deep ties to the Queens legal community. We represent clients from every Queens neighborhood, including those in precincts with the most complaints:
- 103rd Precinct: Jamaica, Hollis, St. Albans (2,709 complaints since 2000)
- 113th Precinct: South Jamaica, Springfield Gardens (2,209 complaints)
- 114th Precinct: Astoria, Long Island City (2,013 complaints)
- 105th Precinct: Queens Village, Cambria Heights, Laurelton (1,797 complaints)
- 101st Precinct: Far Rockaway (1,726 complaints), very high complaint density for a small, isolated area
We also serve residents of Jackson Heights, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Elmhurst, Corona, Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, and Bayside.
State claims are heard at Jamaica Courthouse (88-11 Sutphin Boulevard) and Long Island City Courthouse (25-10 Court Square). Federal Section 1983 claims go to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn).
The Orlow Firm also has offices in Manhattan (Chrysler Building), Brooklyn, and the Bronx.
Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem, Manhattan & Staten Island" loading="lazy" style="width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;border-radius:0.5rem;"/>What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm's attorneys discuss their geographic coverage across New York City boroughs and how they serve police misconduct clients throughout Queens and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Queens Police Misconduct
Can you sue the NYPD for police brutality?
Yes. Under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, you can sue NYPD officers and the City of New York for rights violations, including excessive force. NYC's 2021 qualified immunity ban removed a key defense for officers in excessive force and illegal search cases, making it easier to hold them personally liable in city court.
How do I file a police misconduct complaint in NYC?
File online at nyc.gov/ccrb, by calling 1-800-341-2272 or 311, by mail, or in person at any NYPD precinct. A CCRB complaint creates an official record but does not replace a civil lawsuit or the 90-day Notice of Claim.
What is the statute of limitations for a police brutality lawsuit in New York?
Federal Section 1983 claims must be filed within three years. State tort claims against the City need a Notice of Claim within 90 days and a lawsuit within one year and 90 days. Missing these deadlines can bar your case for good. Contact an attorney right after any police misconduct.
What is qualified immunity and does it apply in NYC?
Qualified immunity is a legal rule that used to shield officers from personal liability unless they broke "clearly established" rights. In 2021, NYC banned qualified immunity for NYPD officers in excessive force and illegal search cases. This makes New York City one of the best places to bring a police misconduct claim.
How much are police misconduct settlements in NYC?
NYC paid $205.6 million in police misconduct settlements in 2024 and over $834 million since 2018. Case values vary widely based on injury severity, the type of violation, and the strength of proof. Cases with wrongful death, lasting injury, or long wrongful jail time tend to produce the largest payouts.
What if I was not physically injured? Can I still sue?
Yes. You do not need a physical injury to bring a police misconduct claim. Emotional distress, shame, lost wages from wrongful jailing, and rights violations are all types of harm you can recover for. False arrest and illegal search cases often lead to large payouts even with no physical injury.
Does the officer have to be convicted of a crime for me to win a civil lawsuit?
No. Civil lawsuits use a lower standard of proof. You must show it is more likely than not that the officer broke your rights. Criminal cases require proof "beyond a reasonable doubt," which is a much higher bar. You can win a civil case even if the officer was never charged or was found not guilty.
Can undocumented immigrants file police misconduct claims?
Yes. The Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments protect all persons within U.S. borders, no matter their immigration status. Undocumented people have the same right to file Section 1983 claims and seek payment for police misconduct as anyone else. Your immigration status is usually not relevant to the civil claim.
Sources & Official Resources
Federal Laws Cited
New York State Laws Cited
- General Municipal Law Section 50-e -- Notice of Claim
- General Municipal Law Section 50-i -- Statute of Limitations for Municipal Tort Claims
New York City Laws Cited
NYC Agencies
Statistics Sources
- CCRB Complaint Data -- NYC Open Data
- CCRB Allegations Data -- NYC Open Data
- CCRB Penalty Data -- NYC Open Data
Helpful Resources
Data Methodology Borough, precinct, and demographic breakdowns were calculated by The Orlow Firm's research team from publicly available NYC Open Data records. CCRB complaint data (https://data.cityofnewyork.us/resource/2mby-ccnw.json), CCRB allegations data (https://data.cityofnewyork.us/resource/6xgr-kwjq.json), and CCRB penalty data (https://data.cityofnewyork.us/resource/keep-pkmh.json) are published at the individual complaint and allegation level. We aggregated these records to produce the Queens-specific and precinct-level statistics cited above, as city agencies do not publish pre-calculated borough-level breakdowns for all metrics. Population data is from the 2020 U.S. Census.
Contact a Queens Police Misconduct Lawyer Today
If your rights were violated by the NYPD or any officer in Queens, The Orlow Firm is ready to take your case. With over 40 years serving injured New Yorkers from our Flushing office, we bring the experience and federal court skills your case demands.
Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.
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