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Civil Rights

Phoenix Civil Rights Attorney

Civil Lawsuits Over Government Misconduct

U.S. Citizens are afforded critical protections under the Constitution – protections which limit the power of the government to infringe upon their right to free speech and due process, and protect citizens against discrimination, harassment, unlawful search and seizure, and other forms of misconduct.

Unfortunately, the government does not always act within the laws by which it is bound. When the government or its representatives violate your rights, you may have grounds to pursue justice and compensation for your losses.

MayesTelles PLLC is a Criminal and Civil Trial Law Firm recognized nationally for our work protecting the rights, freedoms, and futures of clients across Arizona. If you or someone you love have a potential case against a government entity over possible civil rights violations, our Phoenix attorneys are here to help.

Why Choose MayesTelles PLLC?

  • Thousands of Cases Successfully Handled
  • Millions in Compensation Recovered for Clients
  • Award-Winning Trial Lawyers & Former Prosecutors
  • Over 100 Years’ Combined Experience

Call (602) 428-7104 or contact us online to discuss your civil rights case. 

Civil Rights Cases We Handle

Backed by over a century of collective experience, and the insight of talented Civil Trial and Criminal Attorneys (several of whom are former prosecutors), our team at MayesTelles knows the laws by which the government must abide, and the strategies to help the wrongfully accused, prosecuted, and discriminated effectively fight back for the justice they deserve.

MayesTelles handles a range of civil rights cases, including those involving:

Civil Rights FAQ

What Are “Civil Rights” Cases?

Civil rights cases encompass a broad range of litigation over claims from individuals who allege the government, a public entity, or another party (such as an employer) violated their civil rights. Often, these cases concern the failures of the government to act within its bounds, and damages suffered by victims and their loved ones as a result. Claims brought by Plaintiffs in civil rights cases may range in their specifics from police and prosecutorial misconduct to police brutality, unlawful profiling or discrimination, privacy or due process violations, and more.

How Will I Know if I Have a Civil Rights Case?

Because civil rights claims are complex and fact-specific, determining if you have a potential claim will depend on the unique circumstances of your situation. Generally, you may have a viable case if your basic freedoms and Constitutional rights have been infringed upon, including rights which protect your right to due process whenever you are stopped, investigated, and charged with a criminal offense.

If you believe your rights have been violated, or are unsure as to whether you or a loved one may have a potential civil rights case, an evaluation by experienced attorneys can help you better understand your rights and options. MayesTelles offers consultations to civil rights claimants free of charge, and encourages individuals and families to speak with one of our attorneys about their unique situations.

Do I Have a Case for Police or Prosecutorial Misconduct?

Matters involving alleged police or prosecutorial misconduct are among the most common civil rights claims. While the specifics may vary, some common examples include:

  • Excessive Force: Law enforcement officers may be allowed to use force when investigating, detaining, and arresting criminal suspects, but that use of force is subject to important limitations. Generally, it must be lawful, meaning the circumstances must support the use of force, and reasonable, meaning there must be justification for the nature of force used. When officers exceed these lawful and reasonable limitations, they may have violated your rights.
  • Unlawful Arrest: Police must abide by various laws and rules of procedure in the scope of enforcing the law, including the requirement that they have reasonable suspicion and probable cause when stopping, searching, and arresting suspects. Failures to meet these requirements may not only result in evidence exclusion, case dismissals, or overturned convictions in a criminal case, but also potential civil claims over civil rights violations – especially if such failures led to wrongful convictions and actual damages suffered by victims.
  • Wrongful Conviction: Just as law enforcement officers are bound by the law when arresting suspects, prosecutors too must adhere to rules and procedures when bringing charges against defendants. Violations of a defendant’s due process rights, as well as evidence planting, coerced confessions, and other forms of misconduct during arrests and investigations, can lead to wrongful convictions and incarceration which may give rise to potential civil rights claims. With former criminal prosecutors, our team knows where the line should be drawn.

Call (602) 428-7104 to Discuss your Case

As a firm that actively practices both criminal and civil law, MayesTelles PLLC is equipped with the insight and resources to assist in an array of civil rights cases. 

If you have questions about a potential claim, and what rights and options you may have for pursuing justice, contact our firm to request a free case evaluation.

We've Won Thousands of Cases

  • Charges Reduced to Reckless Driving

    Client R.C. was stopped by Mesa Police for a civil traffic violation and later charged with DUI, Extreme DUI, and Super Extreme DUI in a justice court. During the course of their representation, MayesTelles attorneys discovered important inconsistencies in the police reports. When we presented these issues to the State, the prosecutor’s office agreed to drop all DUI charges.

  • Fatal Commercial Vehicle Accident

    MayesTelles Client A.F. and her husband tragically lost their unborn child as a result of the negligence of an individual operating a commercial vehicle in Yuma, Arizona. After substantial investigation including accident reconstruction and filing a lawsuit, the insurance company paid out the policy limits of $1,000,000.00.

  • 4 Counts of Aggravated DUI Dismissed

    Client M.W. was charged with 4 counts of Aggravated DUI in the Maricopa County Superior Court in July 2016 for allegedly riding a motorized bicycle under the influence. The attorneys at MayesTelles demanded that the State include certain materials in their presentation to the grand jury, resulting in the grand jury refusing to indict and the case being dismissed.

  • Client Charged with DUI

    Client, GS, charged with DUI - sentence was reduced to reckless driving.

  • Client Facing Assault Felony

    M.L. was charged with 1 count of Aggravated Assault, a class 3 dangerous felony. She plead guilty to Aggravated Assault, a class 6 undesignated felony, with a stipulation to 3 months of initial jail. She received credit for 32 days and the rest of the jail time was deferred. She was placed on 3 years of supervised probation. She has the opportunity to designate the offense a misdemeanor after successfully completing probation. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court

  • Client Charged with DUI

    Our client, A.R, was charged with 1 count of DUI and 1 count of Failure to Control Speed to Avoid a Collision. During extensive pre-trial investigation, it was discovered that the police made many errors in how they handled the case. We were able to get the client's charges reduced to reckless driving. Location: Glendale City Court

  • Client Charged with Four Felony Counts

    Our client, Ms. D., was charged with two counts of forgery - a class 4 Felony as well as theft - a class 2 Felony and also fraudulent schemes and artifices - a class 2 Felony. We were able to get her conviction reduced to a class 6 undesignated felony with the opportunity to reduce further to a misdemeanor. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court

  • Client Charged with Trespass & Assault

    Our client, T.C., was charged in Maricopa County Superior Court on July 8, 2015 with 1 count of Criminal Trespass, a class 6 felony, and 1 count Assault, a class 2 Misdemeanor. On September 9, 2015, after an 8-day jury trial, our client was found not guilty on both charges. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court

  • Client Charged with Shoplifting

    Our client, Ms. H., was charged with shoplifting - a class 1 misdemeanor. We were able to get her conviction set aside. Location: Phoenix Municipal Court

  • Client Faced 5 Felony Sex Offenses

    Our client, Mr. C., was charged with five counts of felony sex offenses, including two counts of Sex Conduct with a Minor and three counts of Molestation of a Child. We were able to get the case dismissed upon a successful Motion to Dismiss. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court

  • Client Charged with Disorderly Conduct

    Our client, K.F., was charged with Disorderly Conduct, a class 1 misdemeanor. We were able to get this client's case dismissed. Location: Tempe Municipal Court

  • Client Facing Multiple Criminal Charges

    Our client, L.S., was charged on October 20, 2014 in Mesa for an assault, disorderly conduct, and criminal damage. MayesTelles PLLC was able to get those charges dismissed.

  • Client Facing Multiple Domestic Violence Offenses

    Our client, Ms. C., was facing charges of assault / domestic violence (class 1 misdemeanor), disorderly conduct / domestic violence (class 1 misdemeanor), and criminal damage / domestic violence (class 1 misdemeanor). We were able to get our client's case dismissed. Location: Mesa Municipal Court

  • Charged with Assault & Failure to Appear

    Our client, L.S., was charged in Phoenix on December 27, 2014 for assault and failure to appear. After completing diversion, our client's case was dismissed.

  • Multiple Felony Theft Offenses

    Our client, Mr. C., was charged with Theft of Means of Transportation (Class 3 Felony) and Trafficking in Stolen Property (Class 3 Felony). Both class 3 felonies have a possible sentencing range of 2 - 8.75 years in prison. We were able to get our client's charge reduced to a Class 1 Misdemeanor with no jail time. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court

Why Choose MayesTelles PLLC?

  • Nearly 200 Years of Combined Experience
  • Thousands of Cases Successfully Handled
  • Voted Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • Available to Our Clients 24/7
  • Former Prosecutors & Law Enforcement
  • AV Preeminent Rated Attorneys

Contact Us Today

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CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

Hear From Past Clients We've Helped
    "I would recommend them 1,000%"
    The entire staff was so kind and nobody treated me any different because of my past! There are no words I can give you to thank you for what your company has done for me!! Thank you so much!
    - K.H.
    "Only Pick MayesTelles"
    I sure hope to never get in trouble again but when I did I put my money and trust in MayesTelles. Not only do they listen, they CARE! As if it was them in my shoes! They don't judge you or make you feel uncomfortable and you can sit back and relax.
    - L. M.
    "Put My Mind at Ease"
    I never thought I would be someone needing a criminal lawyer. Choosing Mayes Telles was a great choice which has put my mind at ease. Melanie Laboy has been super responsive to my case and kept me informed during this entire process.
    - E.W.
    "I had a great experience and would definitely recommend David Lish."
    Got myself in some trouble and David Lish pulled me right out. He was really good at making me feel comfortable and helping me understand exactly what was going on with my case. David made my Felony go down to a misdemeanor and allowed me to come home to N
    - Elizabeth
    "Zach Thornley the greatest criminal lawyer at Mayes Telles"
    Zach turned hell to heaven (not guilty) for me and I will never say enough thank you for the fantastic job he did!!!!! Zach thank you
    - SG
    "The Best Lawyer in My Experience"
    David Telles is the best lawyer in my experience. It was a pretty big case, but he handled very professionally. My case was dismissed, I was very happy with the result and I am really thanks to David Telles.
    - Hanna
    "Professional, fair, and successful results for our clients."
    We are often asked what law firm do we see offers excellent advice and successful results for our clients and we tell them Mayes Telles. Blake Mayes, David Telles and Dean Turnbow have had fantastic communication with our office and our clients can't speak
    - Sanctuary Bail Bonds
    "Professional, fair, and successful results for our clients."
    We are often asked what law firm do we see offers excellent advice and successful results for our clients and we tell them Mayes Telles. Blake Mayes, David Telles and Dean Turnbow have had fantastic communication with our office...
    - Sanctuary Bail Bonds