Harlem Wrongful Arrest Lawyer
Top False Arrest Attorneys Protecting Harlem Residents from NYPD Misconduct
If you were falsely arrested in Harlem, you are not alone, and you have powerful legal rights.
At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, our Harlem wrongful arrest lawyers fight NYPD misconduct in Central Harlem, East Harlem (El Barrio), and West Harlem. We hold the 28th Precinct, 32nd Precinct, PSA 5 (Housing Police), and Transit District officers accountable when they violate your civil rights.
Whether your arrest happened on 125th Street, in a NYCHA building, on a Harlem subway platform, or during an ordinary street encounter, you may be entitled to compensation.
Wrongful Arrests Are Far Too Common in Harlem
Harlem residents face disproportionately high rates of:
- False arrests
- Stop-and-frisk encounters
- Racial profiling
- Misidentifications
- Unlawful detentions during NYCHA patrols
If you were arrested without legal justification, our Harlem civil rights attorneys will fight to clear your name and recover damages.
What Counts as a Wrongful Arrest in Harlem?
You may have a valid Harlem false arrest claim if:
- Police arrested you without probable cause
- You were misidentified, accused of something you didn’t do, or matched a vague description
- Officers targeted you because of race, ethnicity, appearance, or location
- NYPD fabricated facts or exaggerated circumstances to justify an arrest
- You were arrested for filming police, asserting your rights, or speaking out
- Officers detained you without legal justification in a NYCHA stairwell, elevator, or courtyard
These are serious violations of your Fourth Amendment rights.
Common Causes of False Arrests in Harlem
1. Arresting the Wrong Person
Mistaken identity is common during quick street stops and NYCHA patrols.
2. Lack of Probable Cause
Illegal arrests during traffic stops or neighborhood sweeps.
3. False Statements to Justify Arrests
Officers are inflating or inventing facts to support charges.
4. Racial Profiling in Harlem
Disproportionate stops of Black and Latino residents in Central and East Harlem.
5. Retaliation Arrests
NYPD arrests are tied to filming police, questioning misconduct, or asserting legal rights.
All of these are actionable under New York law and federal civil rights statutes.
Your Legal Rights After a False Arrest in Harlem
If you were wrongfully arrested in Harlem, you may recover compensation for:
- Emotional distress, anxiety, PTSD, humiliation
- Lost wages, lost job opportunities, missed work
- Medical bills from injuries during the arrest
- Legal costs and attorney fees
- Punitive damages for officer misconduct
Deadline Alert:
If the NYPD or a city agency is involved, you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
How Our Harlem False Arrest Lawyers Build a Winning Case
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP aggressively investigates Harlem wrongful arrest cases by:
- Obtaining bodycam footage, NYCHA surveillance, and precinct video
- Analyzing police reports and identifying inconsistencies
- Interviewing Harlem witnesses
- Reviewing officer disciplinary histories
- Filing federal §1983 claims and state civil actions
- Preparing every case for trial to maximize leverage
We know Harlem policing patterns, the local precincts, and how to challenge NYPD misconduct effectively.
Why Police Accountability Matters in Harlem
Harlem communities have endured decades of:
- Over-policing
- Racial profiling
- Stop-and-frisk abuses
- Wrongful detentions during housing patrols
By filing a claim, you help protect both yourself and your Harlem neighborhood from future abuse.
What to Do After a Wrongful Arrest in Harlem
After a false arrest in Harlem:
- Document everything – officer names, badge numbers, patrol car numbers, intersections, NYCHA buildings, and times.
- Do not talk to the police without your lawyer present.
- Get copies of your arrest paperwork.
- Call a Harlem wrongful arrest attorney immediately.
Fast action is a good way to strengthen your case.
Why Harlem Residents Trust Greenstein & Pittari, LLP
- Local Harlem office for easy access
- Decades of civil rights experience
- No fee unless we win (Fee Guarantee)
- Bilingual team for Harlem’s Spanish-speaking residents
- Hundreds of 5-star client testimonials
- Top-rated lawyers recognized by Super Lawyers & Best Lawyers
- Deep knowledge of Harlem police precincts and NYCHA policing patterns
We treat every client with dignity, compassion, and respect.
Don’t Let a False Arrest Define Your Future
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)
At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we fight for Harlem residents whose rights were violated by NYPD misconduct.
We offer:
- Free, confidential consultations
- No upfront fees
- Seven NYC offices, including Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County
You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Speak With a Harlem Wrongful Arrest Lawyer Today
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462)
Or you can go ahead and submit your case online for immediate review.
Greenstein & Pittari stand with Harlem, and we will fight to restore your dignity, your reputation, and your freedom.