What civil rights cases we may take
We sue police officers and other government officials in Virginia who violate the Constitution. We are a small firm and take a limited number of cases, so we ask everyone to answer the questions below before we schedule a consultation.
It takes about ten minutes. Answer what you can; "not sure" is always an acceptable answer.
Preliminary inquiry only — no attorney-client relationship
Completing a questionnaire, submitting a form, calling, or emailing the firm is a preliminary inquiry. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Thomas H. Roberts & Associates, PC does not represent you unless and until the firm agrees to do so in a written, signed fee agreement.
Consistent with Rule 1.18 of the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, we treat the information you provide in a preliminary inquiry as confidential, and we will not use or reveal it except as those Rules permit. That confidentiality does not make you our client, does not mean we have agreed to take your matter, and does not mean the firm is protecting any deadline for you. You alone remain responsible for every statute of limitations, notice requirement, and filing deadline until the firm has agreed to represent you in a written, signed fee agreement.
So that we can first check for conflicts of interest, please share only the basic facts needed to evaluate your matter, and do not send confidential information or documents until we have spoken.
Cases we look for
- Excessive force by police, deputies, or jail staff that caused real injury
- Arrests or prosecutions without probable cause that ended without a conviction
- Arrests, removals, or punishment for protest, recording police, criticizing officials, or speaking at public meetings
- Unlawful searches of homes, cars, and phones
- Deaths in police custody or during police encounters
Cases we usually can't take
- Cases where you were convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, a charge arising from the incident
- Incidents more than two years ago, or charges dismissed more than two years ago
- Incidents outside Virginia
- Cases where you need a lawyer to pay every cost and work only for a percentage, unless the injuries are serious
Every case is different, and these are general guides, not rules. If you are unsure, complete the questions and we will review them. Submitting this form does not make you our client.
