Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Massachusetts

I am a resident of Worcester County, Massachusetts and I am preparing a civil complaint to be filed in U.S. District Court within the next few weeks. The question is around proper venue and jurisdiction.

The defendants are (1) a municipality incorporated in Worcester County, (2) a police officer (being sued in his/her individual capacity) who resides in Worcester County, and (3) an out-of-state law enforcement agency.

Should this federal action be brought in U.S. District Court in Boston or in Worcester? Can this combined action in Massachusetts include the out-of-state law enforcement agency? Or, will that defendant need to be sued in that other state?


Asked on 3/07/11, 8:29 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Harrington Law Office of William T. Harrington

My advice is to hire an attorney. If you have a legitimate, worthwhile claim, you should be able to find a competent civil rights counsel who will take your case on a contingency basis, i.e., taking a percentgage of the recovery. Going it alone is never a good idea, especially in federal court.

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Answered on 3/07/11, 8:41 am


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