Civil Rights & Police Misconduct
Recent Civil Rights Cases
Strang Bradley has built and maintained its reputation as Wisconsin’s leading civil rights and police misconduct law firm. We represent more clients in police misconduct litigation than any other law firm in Wisconsin.
Recent Civil Rights Cases Filed
The civil rights attorneys at Strang Bradley file more civil rights and police misconduct cases on behalf of their clients than any other law firm in Wisconsin.
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Palmer et al v. Jefferson County et al
No: 3:26-cv-766 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 8/17/26
Defendants: Jefferson County, Jeremiah Pleester, and Logan Dahnert
Claims:- Count 1: Extension of Traffic Stop
- Count 2: Illegal Search
- Count 3: Indemnification Claim
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Tiffany v. Rock County et al
No: 3:26-cv-690 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 7/28/26
Defendants: Rock County, Joshua Peterson, and Tyler Quade
Claims:- Count 1: Extension of Traffic Stop
- Count 2: Illegal Search
- Count 3: Indemnification Claim
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Hernandez v. Village of Plover et al
No: 3:26-cv-693 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 7/28/26
Defendants: Village of Plover, Seth Pionke, Kyle Jolin, Sierra Dahl, The Townhomes of Craftsman Village LLC, and Volker Management LLC
Count 1: Illegal Home Entry Count 2: Violation of Right of Privacy Count 3: Trespass Count 4: Illegal Home Entry Count 5: Indemnification Claim
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Lloyd et al v. Columbia County et al
No. 3:26-cv-00645 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 7/17/26
Defendants: Columbia County and Brendan Cutrell
Claims:- Count 1: Illegal Seizure
- Count 2: Indemnification Claim
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Guerrero v. City of Mequon et al
No: 2:26-cv-1257 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 7/17/26
Defendants: City of Mequon and Shawn Larson
Claims:- Count 1: Excessive Force
- Count 2: Indemnification Claim
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Morel v. Jeffrey Hill et al
No. 3:26-cv-523 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 6/5/26
Defendants: Jeffrey Hill, Rolly Wagas, and Cody Digre
Claims:- Count 1: Illegal Search of Person
- Count 2: Illegal Search of Bag
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Grasso v. City of Wisconsin Rapids et al
No. 3:26-cv-00486 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 5/27/26
Defendants: City of Wisconsin Rapids, Travis Plowman
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Seizure
- Count 2: Unlawful Seizure
- Count 3: Extending Traffic Stop
- Count 4: Illegal Frisk
- Count 5: Indemnification Claim
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Wilson v. Portage County et al
No. 3:26-CV-00421 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 5/6/26
Defendants: Portage County and Collin Hawkins
Claims:- Count 1: Unreasonable Seizure — Extension of Traffic Stop
- Count 2: First Unreasonable Search — Frisk of Rayjavontae Wilson
- Count 3: Unreasonable Search — Full Search of Joanna Gerold’s Person
- Count 4: Second Unreasonable Search — Full Search of Rayjavontae Wilson’s Person
- Count 5: Indemnification Claim Against Portage County
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Reed v. City of Oak Creek et al
No. 2:26-CV-00768 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 4/30/26
Defendants: City of Oak Creek, Matthew Hoppe, and Kyle Owens
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Search and Failure to Intervene
- Count 2: Indemnification Claim Against City of Oak Creek
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Mankowski v. City of Whitewater et al
No. 2:26-CV-00645 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 4/15/26
Defendants: City of Whitewater, Cailey Russell, and Ryan Kozlowski
Claims:- Count 1: Unreasonable Seizure — Traffic Stop
- Count 2: Unreasonable Seizure — Extension of Traffic Stop
- Count 3: Indemnification Claim Against City of Whitewater
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Jamerson v. Village of Germantown et al
No. 2:26-CV-00423 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 3/17/26
Defendants: Village of Germantown and Justin Pesch
Claims:- Count 1: Unreasonable Extension of Traffic Stop
- Count 2: Unreasonable Search of Car
- Count 3: Indemnification Claim Against Village of Germantown
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Hawkins v. City of Kenosha et al
No. 2:26-CV-00384 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 3/10/26
Defendants: City of Kenosha, Michael O’Neil, Matthew Lovell, Anthony Beck, Justin Labatore, and Caden Kreuser
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Search and Failure to Intervene
- Count 2: Illegal Seizure for Extending Traffic Stop
- Count 3: Unlawful Search and Failure to Intervene
- Count 4: Unlawful Search and Failure to Intervene
- Count 5: Indemnification Claim Against City of Kenosha
Judgment entered for plaintiffs Erica Hawkins against the City of Kenosha, Michael O’Neil, Matthew Lovell, Anthony Beck, Justin Labatore, and Caden Kreuser.
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Smith v. City of Madison et al
No. 3:26-CV-00179 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 3/2/26
Defendants: City of Madison, Anthony Ciufo, Steven Clennon, and Drew Strachota
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Seizure
- Count 2: Unlawful Search of Person
- Count 3: Unlawful Searches of Car
- Count 4: Unlawful Extension of Traffic Stop
- Count 5: Indemnification Claim Against City of Madison
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Vargas v. City of West Allis et al
No. 2:26-CV-00343 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 3/2/26
Defendants: City of West Allis, Morgan Youngquist, Olivia Court, Mark Burckel, Jesse Yiannackopoulos, and Levi Kossow
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Seizure and Failure to Intervene
- Count 2: Unlawful Arrest and Failure to Intervene
- Count 3: Excessive Force and Failure to Intervene
- Count 4: Indemnification Claim Against City of West Allis
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Thompson v. Sheboygan County et al
No. 2:26-CV-00219 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 2/10/26
Defendants: Sheboygan County, Kevin Armstrong, John Doe, and Village of Saukville
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Seizure and Failure to Intervene
- Count 2: Unlawful Arrest and Failure to Intervene
- Count 3: Retaliation and Failure to Intervene
- Count 4: Indemnification Claim Against Sheboygan County
- Count 5: Indemnification Claim Against Village of Saukville
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Koplien v. Marathon County et al
No. 3:26-CV-00066 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 1/27/26
Defendants: Marathon County, Tristen Wanden, Ronald Kohlmann, and Lor Vang
Claims:- Count 1: Excessive Force (Against Defendant Ronald Kohlmann)
- Count 2: Deliberate Indifference to Serious Medical Needs
- Count 3: Monell Claim Against Marathon County
- Count 4: Indemnification Claim Against Marathon County
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Wehrmeyer v. Vilas County et al
No. 3:25-CV-01065 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 12/30/25
Defendants: Vilas County, Jonathan Euting, City of Eagle River, and Jordan Brault
Claims:- Count 1: Unreasonable Search and Seizure
- Count 2: Unreasonable Extension of Traffic Stop
- Count 3: Indemnification Claim Against Vilas County
- Count 4: Indemnification Claim Against City of Eagle River
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Drennan v. City of Mauston et al
No. 3:25-CV-01028 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 12/16/25
Defendants: City of Mauston and Adam Noe
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Entry and Search of Home
- Count 2: Indemnification Claim Against City of Mauston
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Rodriguez-Gray v. Devries
No. 3:25-CV-08263 (D. Ariz.)
Date Case Filed: 12/8/25
Defendants: Aaron J. Devries
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Seizure
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Ybanez v. Milwaukee County et al
No. 2:25-CV-01902 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 12/3/25
Defendants: Milwaukee County and Ashley N. Yacks
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Search
- Count 2: Indemnification Claim Against Milwaukee County
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Carter v. City of New Berlin et al
No. 2:25-CV-01719 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 11/4/25
Defendants: City of New Berlin, Lisette Ceballos, Melissa Romenesko, and Stacey Howard
Claims:- Count 1: Prolonged Seizure
- Count 2: False Arrest
- Count 3: Retaliation
- Count 4: Monell Claim Against City of New Berlin
- Count 5: Indemnification Claim Against City of New Berlin
Judgment entered for plaintiff Richard Carter against the City of New Berlin, Lisette Ceballos, Melissa Romenesko, and Stacey Howard.
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Cousineau v. City of Milwaukee et al
No. 2:25-CV-01541 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 10/7/25
Defendants: City of Milwaukee and Aaron W. Froh, Jr.
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Entry to Home
- Count 2: Indemnification Claim Against City of Milwaukee
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Miller v. City of Fond du Lac et al
No. 2:25-CV-01531 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 10/6/25
Defendants: City of Fond du Lac and Jack Malloy
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Seizure
- Count 2: Indemnification Claim Against City of Fond du Lac
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Larson v. Oneida County et al
No. 3:25-CV-00797 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 9/23/25
Defendants: Oneida County, City of Rhinelander, Mitchell Ellis, Joseph Hallihan, Christopher Coniglio, Thomas Williams, Matthew Rudolph, Andrew Berg, Luke Drummond, Kurt Helke, and Ryan Larsen
Claims:- Count 1: Illegal Search / Failure to Intervene
- Count 2: Unreasonably Extending Seizure
- Count 3: Unreasonable Seizure
- Count 4: Illegal Search / Failure to Intervene
- Count 5: Unlawful Arrest
- Count 6: Illegal Seizure for Extending Stop
- Count 7: Indemnification Claim Against Oneida County
- Count 8: Indemnification Claim Against City of Rhinelander
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McHenry v. Barron County et al
No. 3:25-CV-00744 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 9/3/25
Defendants: Barron County and Dylan Foss
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Entry to Home
- Count 2: Unlawful Seizure and Arrest
- Count 3: Indemnification Claim Against Barron County
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Janke v. Village of Summit et al
No. 2:25-CV-01339 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 9/3/25
Defendants: Village of Summit, Abby Owens, and Justin Hennlich
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Seizure of Car
- Count 2: Monell Claim
- Count 3: First Amendment Retaliation Claim
- Count 4: Indemnification Claim Against Village of Summit
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Squeo v. City of Lake Geneva et al
No. 2:25-cv-01180 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 8/7/25
Defendants: City of Lake Geneva and Michael McBride
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Home Entry
- Count 2: Unlawful Seizure Inside Home
- Count 3: Unlawful Arrest
- Count 4: Retaliation
- Count 5: Fourth Amendment Malicious Prosecution
- Count 6: Indemnification Claim Against City of Lake Geneva
Judgment entered for plaintiffs Vincent and Felicia Squeo against the City of Lake Geneva and Michael McBride.
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Friesema v. Forest County et al
No. 1:25-CV-01019 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 7/14/25
Defendants: Forest County, Ronald Skallerud, Alex Walrath, Anthony Crum, Connor Johnson, Darrell Wilson, Thomas Robinson, Jeffery Marvin, City of Crandon, Ryan Wilson, Tami Sleeman, and Brian Messerschmidt
Claims:- Count 1: Unreasonable Search and Seizure
- Count 2: False Arrest
- Count 3: Monell Claim for Unconstitutional Policy or Failure to Train, Supervise, or Discipline Against Forest County and City of Crandon
- Count 4: Indemnification Claim Against Forest County and City of Crandon
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Holbrook v. City of Milwaukee et al
No. 2:25-CV-00970 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 7/8/25
Defendants: City of Milwaukee, Omar Contreras, and Rafael Perez
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Home Entry
- Count 2: Unlawful Seizure Inside Home
- Count 3: Indemnification Claim Against City of Milwaukee
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Mercado v. City of Milwaukee et al
No. 2:25-CV-00973 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 7/8/25
Defendants: City of Milwaukee, David Bettin, John Doe, and Jane Doe
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Home Entry
- Count 2: Unlawful Seizure Inside Home
- Count 3: Unlawful Search Inside Home
- Count 4: Indemnification Claim Against City of Milwaukee
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Mason v. City of Madison et al
No. 3:25-CV-00497 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 6/13/25
Defendants: City of Madison and Morgan Youngquist
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Seizure
- Count 2: Retaliation
- Count 3: Unlawful Search
- Count 4: Indemnification Claim Against City of Madison
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Achterling v. Polk County et al
No. 3:25-CV-00386 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 5/14/25
Defendants: Polk County, Troy Olson, and Torsten Swanson
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Entry to Home
- Count 2: Unlawful Seizure and Arrest
- Count 3: Indemnification Claim Against Polk County
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Grulke v. City of West Bend et al
No. 2:25-CV-00697 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 5/13/25
Defendants: City of West Bend and Montana Luecking
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Search
- Count 2: Indemnification Claim Against City of West Bend
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Summers v. Dunahay et al
No. 3:25-CV-00324 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 4/25/25
Defendants: Erin Dunahay, Elizabeth Tegels, Casey Jensen, Jeremiah Curtis, Kristine Smetana, James Nyhus, Nicholas Klimpke, and Blake Weikel
Claims:- Count 1: Eighth Amendment Failure to Protect
- Count 2: Eighth Amendment Failure to Protect
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Schuler v. City of River Falls et al
No. 3:25-cv-00318 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 4/23/25
Defendants: City of River Falls and Scott Bangert
Claims:- Count 1: Unreasonable Search and Seizure
Judgment entered for plaintiff Tonya Schuler against the City of River Falls and Scott Bangert.
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Singleton v. Sawyer County et al
No. 3:25-cv-00210 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 3/19/25
Defendants: Sawyer County and Kevin Gillis
Claims:- Count 1: Unreasonable Seizure
- Count 2: Unreasonable Seizure - Prolonged Detention
- Count 3: Indemnification Claim Against Sawyer County
Judgment entered for plaintiff Billy Justin Singleton against Sawyer County and Kevin Gillis.
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Forcia v. Ashland County et al
No. 25-cv-198-wmc (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 3/14/25
Defendants: Ashland County and Justin Ceglar
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Search
Judgment entered for plaintiff Jason Forcia against Ashland County and Justin Ceglar.
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Pritchard v. City of Janesville et al
No. 3:25-CV-00149 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 2/27/25
Defendants: City of Janesville and Jacob Seuferer
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Seizure
- Count 2: Indemnification Claim Against City of Janesville
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Cruz v. City of Adams et al
No. 3:25-CV-00120 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 2/18/25
Defendants: City of Adams, Sam Wollin, and Richard Smith
Claims:- Count 1: First Unlawful Entry into Curtilage
- Count 2: Unlawful Seizure
- Count 3: Unlawful Arrest and Failure to Intervene
- Count 4: Unlawful Search and Failure to Intervene
- Count 5: Second Unlawful Entry into Curtilage
- Count 6: Monell Policy Claim
- Count 7: Indemnification Claim Against City of Adams
Won Count 1 (First Unlawful Entry into Curtilage). Won Count 2 (Unlawful Seizure). Won Count 3 (Unlawful Arrest and Failure to Intervene). Won Count 4 (Unlawful Search and Failure to Intervene). Won Count 5 (Second Unlawful Entry into Curtilage). Won Count 6 (Monell Claim against City of Adams). Judge James D. Peterson concluded the defendants violated the plaintiff’s 4th Amendment rights.
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Burnside v. Marquette County et al
No. 2:25-CV-00195 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 2/7/25
Defendants: Marquette County and Brendan Cutrell
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Seizure
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Damm v. Marquette County et al
No. 2:25-CV-00196 (E.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 2/7/25
Defendants: Marquette County and Brendan Cutrell
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Seizure
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Lilteich v. State of Wisconsin et al
No. 3:25-CV-00047 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 1/22/25
Defendants: State of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Brett Mierzejewski, Candice Andrychowicz, Jennifer Burns, Matthew Conard, Rick Dreikosen, Zachery Ebben, John Halle, Linda Holentunder, Amy Kalmus, Corinna Lefeber, Christopher Rost, Lisa Schneider, Nathan Schroeder, Patrick Vanderwaal, Susan Sickinger, Mark Raeder, Terry Schuett, Harold Beck, Jeremy Wiltzius, Christopher Bruden, Michael Eichstedt, John Gliniecki, Heather Heinen, Amber Moeller, Todd Golembeski, Ryan Wehrmann, and Wayne Olson
Claims:- Count 1: Excessive Force / Failure to Intervene
- Count 2: Failure to Provide Medical Attention
- Count 3: Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act Claims
- Count 4: Excessive Force / Failure to Intervene
- Count 5: Failure to Provide Medical Attention
- Count 6: Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act Claims
- Count 7: Excessive Force / Failure to Intervene
- Count 8: Failure to Provide Medical Attention
- Count 9: Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act Claims
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Faison v. Wagas
No. 3:25-CV-00002 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 1/2/25
Defendants: Rolly Wagas
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Search
Won Count 1 (Unlawful Search). Judge William M. Conley concluded the defendant violated the plaintiff’s 4th Amendment rights.
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Saffold v. Village of Shorewood Hills et al
No. 3:25-CV-00001 (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 1/2/25
Defendants: Village of Shorewood Hills, John Maginot, Meg Hamilton, and Richard Bailey
Claims:- Count 1: Unlawful Seizure, Search, and Failure to Intervene
- Count 2: Unlawful Search - Illegal Frisk
- Count 3: Indemnification Claim Against Village of Shorewood Hills
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Pfalzgraf v. Rusk County et al
No. 23-cv-877-jdp (W.D. Wis.)
Date Case Filed: 12/20/23
Defendants: Rusk County, Ben Reisner
Claims:- Count 1: Illegal Frisk
- Count 3: Unlawful Extension of Traffic Stop
- Count 3: Unlawful Search
Judgment entered for plaintiff Brian Pfalzgraf against Rusk County and Ben Reisner.