Department of Justice: Extreme racial bias and excessive force by Ferguson police

Opinion, NakedLaw, Rights

A Justice Department investigation has found an extreme pattern of racial bias by police officers in Ferguson, Mo., reinforcing what protestors have been saying since the August 2014 killing of unarmed black teenager Mike Brown by white police officer Darren Wilson. The scathing DOJ report accuses Ferguson police officers of sending racist emails on city email accounts, conducting unjustified traffic stops of black residents for years, and of using excessive force.

The full report is expected Wednesday. Ferguson officials now face the choice of settling with the DOJ over civil rights violations or being sued on charges of violating the Constitution.

Avvo legal analyst Lisa Bloom has covered the story since August, noting the many ways in which the justice system failed Brown and Ferguson residents. Read Lisa’s response to the DOJ report, plus her coverage of the events in Ferguson, below.

Lisa Bloom responds to DOJ report on racial bias in Ferguson

Lisa Bloom covers events in Ferguson

Feb. 19, 2015: Lisa Bloom on how the legal system failed in Ferguson

Jan. 8, 2015: It’s not over in Ferguson: 3 formidable legal moves against prosecutor Bob McCulloch

Dec. 19, 2014: Witness 40 is a racist liar. Why did the Ferguson prosecutors have her testify?

Nov. 25, 2014: Avvo legal analyst Lisa Bloom covers Ferguson grand jury’s decision not to indict

Nov. 23, 2014: Anonymous to Ferguson KKK: ‘We are the law now’

Sept. 25, 2014: The long, strange path to charges (or not) against the police officer who killed Michael Brown

Aug. 21, 2014: Lisa Bloom answers your top questions on the Michael Brown case

Aug. 13, 2014: The shooting of Michael Brown: Why it’s time to move beyond condolences

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Avvo.

Photo: Rena Schild / Shutterstock.com