Could the Brown family file a wrongful-death civil suit against Wilson?

[KamaAina]

Like Nicole Brown Simpson's family did against OJ?

A Facebook friend was musing about the injustice of the Klan and others raising all that $$ for Wilson. Then I remembered the OJ civil suit.

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Let's wait and see

I'm not sure if they can - but I think we will be seeing a civil rights issue from the DOJ/FBI.

[treestar]

2. Yes, and against the police department

And the burden of proof in a civil case is lower (which is why they won on OJ even though he was acquitted in the criminal case).

[pipoman]

3. Usually government has to agree to let you sue them...

It would most likely have to be a civil rights violation case. Public officials are protected from civil liability as long as they act within the law. These things remain to be seen.

[Lurks Often]

4. Law varies from state to state, but probably not against Wilson himself

Brown's family can sue Wilson, as a police officer and if they win, the town of Ferguson (or their insurance company) will pay the family.

They probably can not sue Wilson the person, police officers generally can not be personally sued for things that occur while they are on duty.

[DeadEyeDyck]

5. anyone can file a suit against anyone

Whether it will have standing is another issue.