Lawsuit Alleges That Police Officers Invade Family's Home and Privacy

It is assumed that citizens are safe inside their homes and that the police will protect them from invaders, but what happens when police officers, sworn to protect a citizen's rights, invade their home? A lawsuit filed in the United States District Court, with Civil Action No. 3:06:cv 01717 (MRK) alleges that the home of one man and his family was unlawfully invaded by the local police department.

Glastonbury, CT (PRWEB) November 11, 2006 -- Citizens depend on the police to protect and keep neighborhoods and homes safe. But what happens when police officers invade homes, violate rights, and rummage through personal belongings?

In an effort to preserve constitutional rights and protect from future incidents of police abuse, Attorney Paul Spinella has taken on the case of a family whose home was allegedly invaded by fifteen local police officers in the spring of 2006.

According to the lawsuit, William Gonzalez, et al v. Town of Glastonbury, et al, filed in the United States District Court in Hartford on November 2, 2006, Mr. Gonzalez claims that on the morning of May 10, 2006, he was taking a shower when several local police officers barged into his home, pulled Mr. Gonzalez naked from the shower, and rummaged through the family's personal belongings.

The lawsuit alleges that during the course of the police officers alleged unlawful search of the Gonzalez's home, the officers tore through the family's closets, drawers, and personal papers -- all while Mr. Gonzalez was claimed to be handcuffed and forced to sit undressed in his living room. The lawsuit also claims that the policies and customs of the Town and the local police department led to the alleged unlawful behavior of its police officers.

According to Attorney A. Paul Spinella, "In order to defend and uphold the constitutional rights of all citizens, and to deter such future abuses, the Gonzalez's have taken the police officers that allegedly violated their privacy to court and challenged the policies of the town and its police department that foster such unlawful conduct. While taking renegade police officers to court helps defend victims' rights, it is public outcry from ordinary citizens that police abuses of power will not be tolerated that will most effectively gain the attention of the state and city authorities necessary to bring about permit change."

This case was filed in the United States District Court, with Civil Action No. 3:06:cv 01717 (MRK)

Over the past two decades, Spinella & Associates has successfully prosecuted hundreds of police brutality claims against police departments and municipalities throughout the State of Connecticut and the New England region. The Spinella team is a group of determined trial lawyers who represent ordinary citizens against abase of power by institutions. Spinella & Associates is located iii Hartford, Connecticut and can be reached at 860-728-4900 or online at http://www.spinella-law.com

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