Chicago Wrongful Detention Attorney

Police officers—whether local, state, or federal—may not hold individuals in custody unless supported by probable cause. The Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable seizures applies not only to arrests, but also to continued detention. Law enforcement is required to promptly release an individual once it becomes clear that there is no lawful basis to continue holding them.

Wrongful detention occurs when police hold an individual in custody without probable cause, or when officers continue to detain a person after probable cause has dissipated. Even if an arrest was initially lawful, continued detention becomes unconstitutional when new evidence, witness statements, or other information eliminates the legal justification for custody. Detaining a person based on delay, convenience, or mere suspicion violates the Fourth Amendment.

When a wrongful detention occurs, the officers involved may be held personally liable, and the government entity that employs them may also be responsible under federal or state law. Sadelski Law represents individuals who were wrongfully detained by pursuing claims against the involved officers and the responsible government entities in federal or state court to hold them accountable and seek full compensation for violations of constitutional rights.

In September 2026, Sadelski Law founder Peter T. Sadelski represented the plaintiff in Reeves v. Gray et al., a federal civil rights case involving wrongful detention. After trial, the jury found a Springfield police officer liable for wrongfully detaining the plaintiff and returned awards totaling $2,005,000, including $1.5 million in compensatory damages. The verdict underscores the serious constitutional consequences that can arise when a person is detained after the justification for continued detention has dissipated.

Media Coverage: The verdict was reported by WCIA Channel 3 and NewsChannel20.