When Officers Cross the Line, We Force Accountability
The recent $900,000 settlement against Fontana PD reveals what happens when police abuse their power – and what Steering Law can do about it. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, our client endured a 14-hour interrogation where detectives fabricated evidence about a murder that never occurred, ignoring clear proof of his innocence. This wasn’t just misconduct; it was a systemic failure that destroyed an innocent man’s life. For over a decade, we’ve been the firm San Bernardino County residents turn to when law enforcement violates their rights, from coerced confessions to excessive force and illegal searches.
Police misconduct across the Inland Empire follows disturbing patterns we know how to break. In San Bernardino proper, use-of-force incidents have surged 22% since 2021, while the Sheriff’s Department faces mounting lawsuits over jail abuses at West Valley Detention Center. These aren’t isolated incidents – they’re symptoms of failed accountability. The courts have recognized this crisis, with the 2024 People v. Rodriguez decision condemning unlawful searches that mirror what we see daily in SBPD and Fontana PD cases.
What sets Steering Law apart is how we transform these injustices into lasting change. Our Fontana victory did more than secure compensation – it forced the department to adopt new interrogation protocols. When we took on San Bernardino PD for a brutal arrest that left a man paralyzed, we didn’t just win $1.2 million; we exposed deleted bodycam footage that revealed a cover-up. This is the difference between lawyers who settle and advocates who reform.
Time is your greatest adversary in these cases. California’s strict deadlines give victims just six months to file government claims in most misconduct cases, with only two years to pursue civil rights violations. Don’t let what happened to our Fontana client – or the dozens of others we’ve represented – happen to you. The officers involved in these abuses count on victims staying silent. We give them a voice in courtrooms and council chambers across San Bernardino County.
If you’ve suffered at the hands of law enforcement anywhere in the Inland Empire – whether from coerced confessions, excessive force, or wrongful arrest – contact Steering Law today. Our track record speaks for itself, but what matters most is your story. Let’s discuss how we can help during a free, confidential consultation.
Proven Results:
- $900,000 settlement against Fontana PD for coerced false confession (2024)
- $1.2 million excessive force verdict against SBPD (2023)
- Multiple department policy reforms enacted
Call (909) STEER-LAW or visit our San Bernardino offices near the courthouse. When police break the law, we make them answer for it.
*Cited Cases:*
- LA Times: Fontana Coerced Confession (May 2024)
- People v. Rodriguez (2024) D084517
- SB County Sheriff’s misconduct records