Can I sue a police officer for sexual misconduct in Arkansas?

Full question:

I was arrested for DUI by an officer of Pulaski County PD in Arkansas. He took me to the holding cell in PD building. He was the only officer in the building. I was sexual exploited while I was in the jail. I am a 24-year-old storekeeper in a supermart in the vicinity. Under what law in Arkansas can I sue the police officer for his misconduct?

  • Category: Criminal
  • Subcategory: Sex Offfender
  • Date:
  • State: Arkansas

Answer:

In Arkansas, a police officer who engages in sexual misconduct can be charged with sexual assault in the fourth degree under A.C.A. § 5-14-127. This law states that:

  • A person over twenty years old commits sexual assault if they engage in sexual contact with someone who is in custody and not their spouse.

In your case, the officer could be prosecuted for this offense, which is a Class D felony. Penalties may include up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 (Ark. Code §§ 5-4-401, 5-4-201).

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

The sheriff of Little Rock, Arkansas, is the elected head of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office. As of the last update, the sheriff is Eric Higgins. The sheriff oversees law enforcement operations in the county, including the management of the Pulaski County Jail and community policing efforts. For the most current information, it’s advisable to check the official Pulaski County Sheriff's Office website or local news sources. *Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.*