Oklahoma Civil Rights Attorney
When the people with power — police, jails, government officials — violate your constitutional rights, the law gives you the right to hold them accountable. But these are among the hardest cases a lawyer can take, and they demand experience most firms simply don't have. Garrett Law has spent years at the front lines of Oklahoma civil rights litigation, fighting for people harmed by those who were supposed to protect them. Mitchell Garrett is a Marine Corps veteran and a Super Lawyer. Your consultation is free.
When Government Power Goes Too Far
Your constitutional rights aren't supposed to stop at a jail door or a traffic stop. When officials abuse their authority — through excessive force, deliberate indifference to someone's safety, or unlawful detention — federal civil rights law (often called a "Section 1983" claim) lets victims and their families seek justice and accountability. These cases do more than compensate the people harmed; they force institutions to change how they operate. That's the kind of work we do.
Civil Rights Cases We Handle
We represent individuals and families in serious civil rights matters, including:
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Police excessive force and brutality
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Wrongful death in police custody or in jail
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Dangerous jail and prison conditions
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Deliberate indifference to medical needs in custody
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False arrest and unlawful detention
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Malicious prosecution
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Violations of constitutional rights by government officials
These cases are often brought in federal court and require deep familiarity with how they're litigated. If you believe your rights — or a loved one's — were violated, call us.
A Record at the Forefront of Oklahoma Civil Rights Law
This is not a sideline for our firm. Garrett Law has handled significant civil rights litigation in Oklahoma's state and federal courts, including work tied to landmark cases that shaped how Oklahomans can hold government actors accountable for constitutional violations. We understand the law in this area at a level few firms do, and institutions and their lawyers know it. That experience is exactly what these difficult, high-stakes cases require.
How Civil Rights Cases Work — and What They Cost You
Most people are surprised to learn they can pursue these cases without paying a lawyer up front. We typically handle civil rights matters on a contingency basis, and federal law allows the recovery of attorney fees from the government when a civil rights claim succeeds — so the cost of standing up for your rights doesn't fall on you. There are strict deadlines to file, however, and critical evidence (video, records, witness accounts) can disappear quickly. The sooner you call, the better we can protect your claim.
Why Garrett Law
Taking on the government takes more than willingness — it takes know-how and staying power. Mitchell Garrett is a Marine Corps veteran and a recognized Super Lawyer with real experience litigating civil rights cases against institutions that fight back hard. Our clients are people who were dismissed, ignored, or harmed by those in power, and we treat them with the dignity and seriousness they were denied. When we take a case, we're in it for the long haul.
Garrett Law handles civil rights cases across Oklahoma, including the greater Tulsa metro — Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bixby, Jenks, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, and Claremore — and in the state's federal courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a civil rights or "Section 1983" claim?
It's a claim under federal law that lets you sue government officials — like police or jail staff — who violate your constitutional rights, such as the right to be free from excessive force or unlawful detention. It can provide compensation and force institutions to change.
How much does it cost to hire a civil rights lawyer?
Typically nothing up front. We generally take these cases on contingency, and federal law allows attorney fees to be recovered from the government when a civil rights claim succeeds. Your first consultation is free.
Can I sue the police or a jail in Oklahoma?
In the right circumstances, yes. If police, jail staff, or other officials violated your constitutional rights, the law may allow a claim against them and the entities responsible. These cases are complex, so it's important to talk to a lawyer experienced in this specific area.
What if my family member died in jail or in police custody?
Families have the right to answers and accountability. We handle wrongful death and in-custody death cases and can investigate what happened, preserve evidence, and pursue a claim on your family's behalf. Please reach out — these cases are time-sensitive.
How long do I have to file a civil rights claim?
There are firm deadlines, and some claims against government entities require notice much sooner than you'd expect. Because evidence also disappears quickly, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Do these cases go to trial?
Some resolve through settlement and some go all the way to trial. We prepare every case thoroughly, because institutions take you more seriously when they know you're ready and able to try the case.