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So your probably sitting in your Nassau County home right now, still shaking from being arrested for absolutely nothing. Maybe Nassau police pulled you over on the Southern State claiming you “fit a description.” Maybe Hempstead cops grabbed you for “obstruction” when you were literally just walking. Or maybe Garden City police decided you didn’t belong in there precious village. Look, we get it. Your FURIOUS about being treated like a criminal in supposedly “safe” Long Island. And you know what? You should be! Because Nassau County just paid $650,000 for false arrest and Black people are FIVE TIMES more likely to be stopped here!
Let me give you the shocking truth about Nassau County police – they’re so racist, the Department of Justice has been watching them since 1977! That’s right, federal oversight for DECADES because of discrimination!
Here’s the reality: Black people make up only 10% of Nassau County but account for over ONE-THIRD of arrests! Black residents are nearly FIVE TIMES more likely to be stopped than white people! For obstruction charges? 18.3 Black people arrested for every white person! This isn’t profiling – its apartheid!
Commissioner Patrick Ryder actualy said out loud that cops stop more people of color because they come from NYC “to commit criminal acts”! The head cop is openly racist! No wonder Tivia Leith is suing for $30 MILLION after being detained 11 hours with her INFANT for nothing!
Recent settlements prove the problem: $650,000 to a former Black female officer for false arrest. $450,000 for age discrimination. $421,000 for religious discrimination. $200,000 for retaliation. Millions more in pending cases. YOUR tax dollars paying for racist cops!
Every Nassau police department has problems, but some areas are hunting grounds for false arrests:
Hempstead is the absolute WORST. Tyrone Phifer, a 63-year-old grandfather, was arrested even though cops KNEW within 44 seconds he wasn’t who they were looking for! Body cam proved they saw his ID and medical prescriptions but arrested him anyway! Now he’s suing for $5 million!
Garden City police act like its 1950s Alabama. Any Black person driving through gets pulled over for “suspicious vehicle.” Shopping while Black at Roosevelt Field? Your getting stopped. Walking through downtown? Must be casing stores for robbery.
Great Neck and Manhasset cops protect there wealthy white residents by harassing everyone else. Latino workers commuting to jobs? Pulled over daily. Black families visiting? Followed and stopped. They literaly patrol the borders keeping “undesirables” out.
Valley Stream, Elmont, and Roosevelt get it the worst because there predominantly Black. Cops treat these areas like occupied territory, not communities to serve. Mass arrests, constant harassment, quotas filled on Black bodies.
If your filing a lawsuit in Nassau County, the courthouse maze is designed to confuse you. For state claims, Nassau Supreme Court is at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501. That’s where civil rights cases against police get heard.
For federal civil rights claims under Section 1983, you file in Eastern District of New York. The closest courthouse is in Central Islip at 100 Federal Plaza, but you can also file in Brooklyn at 225 Cadman Plaza East. Federal cases take longer but can get bigger damages.
Criminal court for fighting false arrest charges depends on where you were arrested. District Court in Hempstead at 99 Main Street handles western Nassau. First District Court in Mineola handles central Nassau. Each court has different judges, different prosecutors, different biases.
But remember – BEFORE any lawsuit, you MUST file a Notice of Claim within 90 DAYS with Nassau County! Unlike NYC cases that go to the Comptroller, Nassau County claims go to the County Attorney at 1 West Street, Mineola. Miss this deadline and your case is DEAD!
Nassau County Police have been violating civil rights for so long, there’s literaly federal case law about it! The Department of Justice sued in 1977 for discrimination in hiring and promotions!
In 1982, after FOUR YEARS of fighting, Nassau County signed a consent decree requiring them to hire Black, Latino, and female officers. Forty years later, the department is still overwhelmingly white male and still discriminating! The consent decree expired but the racism didn’t!
The pattern continues today. A federal judge just approved class action status for ALL Black and Brown drivers stopped illegaly by Nassau police. That means thousands of victims can join together to fight this systemic racism. The county is looking at potentially HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS in damages!
Attorney Frederick Brewington called out Commissioner Ryder directly: “You have refused to understand that there is racial disparity in Nassau County, and you’ve refused to address it.” When lawyers are publicly shaming the police commissioner, you know its bad!
Let me give you ACTUAL settlement amounts from Nassau County cases based on recent data:
Major cases: $30 million lawsuit pending for 11-hour detention with infant. $5 million lawsuit for arresting wrong person even after checking ID. $650,000 settlement for false arrest of Black female ex-cop. $450,000 for discrimination in Marine Bureau. $421,000 for religious discrimination. $200,000 for retaliation based on race and orientation.
Regular false arrests: Traffic stop that leads to nothing? $10,000-25,000. Arrested and held overnight? $25,000-50,000. Roughed up during arrest? $50,000-150,000. Clear video evidence of misconduct? $100,000+. Lost job because of false arrest? Add significant damages.
Nassau-specific factors that increase value: Documented pattern of racial profiling helps your case. Video evidence is crucial – Nassau cops lie constantly. Multiple witnesses who aren’t family members. Clear proof you weren’t who they claimed. Evidence of quotas or pressure to arrest.
Location matters enormously. False arrest in Garden City or Great Neck (wealthy white areas)? Higher settlement because jury sees discrimination. False arrest in Hempstead or Roosevelt? Lower settlement because jury expects it there. The racism affects even settlement values!
Nassau police use traffic stops as fishing expeditions to arrest Black and Latino drivers. They claim “equipment violation,” “failure to signal,” “suspicious driving” – all BS excuses to search cars and make arrests.
Tivia Leith was stopped for absolutly nothing, detained 11 hours with her BABY, never charged with anything! The cops claimed she was “suspicious” driving a nice car while Black. Now she’s lead plaintiff in a class action that could cost Nassau County hundreds of millions!
The Southern State Parkway is a hunting ground. Cops sit at on-ramps in Black neighborhoods, follow cars, wait for any excuse to pull over. Going 56 in a 55? Pulled over. Changed lanes “too quickly”? Pulled over. Air freshener hanging from mirror? Pulled over.
Once stopped, they claim they “smell marijuana” (even though its legal now!), demand searches, bring K-9 units, tear apart cars looking for anything. When they find nothing? They arrest you for “obstruction” or “disorderly conduct” to justify the stop. Your car gets impounded, you spend thousands getting it back, and you have an arrest record forever.
Living in Nassau County, especialy while Black or Latino, means constant false arrest risk:
“Walking while Black” in white neighborhoods. Garden City, Manhasset, Great Neck – cops get “suspicious person” calls just for existing. They arrest first, figure out you live there later.
LIRR commuter arrests. Taking the train to work in the city? Cops patrol stations in Black neighborhoods claiming “fare evasion” or “disorderly conduct” when your literally just commuting.
Housing arrests in Hempstead, Roosevelt, Uniondale. Cops claim “trespassing” when your visiting family in your own community. They demand ID from everyone, arrest anyone who questions them.
Nassau County courts are a nightmare for false arrest victims. The judges are mostly former Nassau County prosecutors who worked with the same cops now being sued. They golf together at the same country clubs. There kids go to the same private schools.
Getting a fair jury in Nassau is nearly impossible. The county is 70% white, wealthy, conservative. They trust police, distrust lawsuits, and think racism ended in 1965. Even when video clearly shows police brutality, they find excuses.
The Nassau County District Attorney’s office protects cops religiously. They prosecute false arrest victims to justify the arrest. They hide evidence that helps defendants. They threaten maximum sentences to force plea deals. When cops lie on the stand? DA’s office backs them up.
Even getting to court is designed to be difficult. Limited public transportation, expensive parking, courts spread across the county. Your witnesses can’t get there. You miss work for every appearance. The system exhausts you into giving up.
Despite DECADES of federal oversight, Nassau County police keep violating civil rights. The 1982 consent decree was supposed to fix discrimination. Forty years later, its worse than ever!
The Department of Justice knows about the problems but hasn’t acted recently. Local politicians protect the police because cops equal votes in Nassau. County Executive Bruce Blakeman backs the police no matter what they do.
The only hope is private lawsuits and class actions. When enough people sue, when damages get high enough, maybe things change. But Nassau County would rather pay millions in settlements than admit there’s a problem. Your tax dollars fund racism rather than reform.
The system is broken by design. They know Black and Latino residents can’t afford lengthy lawsuits. They know most people take small settlements rather than fight for years. They count on wearing you down, making you give up.
Look, most Long Island lawyers are part of the same country club system as the judges and cops. They play golf together, there kids play lacrosse together, they don’t want to rock the boat. We’re different – we’re not part of there club and don’t want to be.
We know Nassau County’s racist history. We know the statistics, the patterns, the players. We know which judges might actualy listen and which are hopeless. We know how to get around the built-in biases of Nassau juries.
We’re not intimidated by Nassau County’s wealth and connections. They can have all the country club lawyers they want – we still beat them. We’ve taken on Nassau police and won. They know we don’t take lowball settlements.
Most importantly, we understand this isn’t just about money – its about dignity. Being arrested for existing while Black or Latino is dehumanizing. Being treated like a criminal in your own community is traumatic. We fight for justice, not just settlements.
Call us RIGHT NOW at 212-300-5196
Nassau County’s racism stops with YOUR case!
Don’t let them get away with treating you like a second-class citizen in your own county! Every day you wait, evidence disappears. That dashcam footage? Gets deleted or “lost.” Those witnesses? Move away or get intimidated. Your bruises? Heal without documentation.
Nassau County thinks Black and Latino residents will just accept false arrests as the price of living on Long Island. They think your too scared, too poor, or too tired to fight back. PROVE THEM WRONG! Stand up for your rights and make them pay for there decades of discrimination!
Disclaimer: Settlement amounts vary based on specific facts. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes. We serve all Nassau County from Hempstead to Great Neck.
Very diligent, organized associates; got my case dismissed. Hard working attorneys who can put up with your anxiousness. I was accused of robbing a gemstone dealer. Definitely A law group that lays out all possible options and best alternative routes. Recommended for sure.
- ROBIN, GUN CHARGES ROBIN
NJ CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS