A former Warren officer was acquitted of manslaughter in a crash that killed two men. Families still have civil options. Here’s what Michigan law allows.
You watched the verdict come in. Not guilty. And now you’re sitting with that — with grief that hasn’t changed, and a system that just told you it won’t punish the person who killed your family member.
That feeling is real. And you’re not wrong to be angry.
But a criminal acquittal is not the end of the road. Under Michigan law, the families of the two men killed in this crash still have civil legal options — and those options exist completely separate from what happened in that courtroom Thursday.
According to FOX 2 Detroit, a jury delivered a not guilty verdict Thursday against the former Warren police officer charged with manslaughter in the crash that killed two men. The case drew significant attention in Macomb County and across the metro Detroit area — and for the victims’ families, the verdict leaves a painful gap between legal outcome and justice.
Why a Criminal Acquittal Doesn’t End the Legal Fight
Criminal cases and civil lawsuits operate under different rules. They always have.
In a criminal trial, prosecutors must prove guilt *beyond a reasonable doubt* — one of the highest standards in the law. One juror who isn’t certain can block a conviction. That’s by design.
A civil lawsuit uses a lower bar: *preponderance of the evidence*. That means the family only needs to show it’s more likely than not that the officer’s conduct caused the deaths. Fifty-one percent, essentially. The same facts that couldn’t sustain a criminal conviction can absolutely support a civil verdict.
The most famous example most people know: O.J. Simpson was acquitted of murder in 1995, then found liable in a civil wrongful death suit the following year. Same incident. Two completely different outcomes.
That’s not a quirk — it’s how the system works.
What Civil Claims Could the Families Pursue?
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Under Michigan’s Wrongful Death Act (MCL 600.2922), the personal representative of each victim’s estate can file a civil lawsuit seeking damages for:
- Loss of financial support the victim would have provided
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and society
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Conscious pain and suffering the victim experienced before death
- Medical expenses incurred between the crash and death
The families don’t need a criminal conviction to pursue this. The acquittal doesn’t bar the claim.
Section 1983 Civil Rights Claim
If the officer was acting in his official capacity — on duty, in a department vehicle, or otherwise exercising police authority — the families may also have a civil rights claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This federal law allows individuals to sue government officers who deprive someone of their constitutional rights, including the right not to be killed by reckless government conduct.
These cases are more complex. They involve questions of *qualified immunity* — a legal doctrine that protects officers from personal liability in some circumstances. But qualified immunity is not absolute, and it doesn’t automatically apply every time a government employee causes harm. An attorney who handles police misconduct cases in Michigan can evaluate whether a § 1983 claim is viable here.
Claim Against the City of Warren
Depending on the facts — including whether the city knew of prior issues with this officer’s driving or conduct — there may also be a claim against Warren itself. Municipalities can face liability for failing to train, supervise, or discipline officers whose conduct creates foreseeable risks to the public.
This is one reason cases involving Warren police often extend beyond the individual officer. Cities carry insurance. Cities make decisions about retention and discipline. And cities can be held accountable in civil court.
The Statute of Limitations: Time Is Not on Your Side
This matters and it matters now.
For a wrongful death action in Michigan, the statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of death — under MCL 600.5805(2). For civil rights claims under § 1983, Michigan’s three-year personal injury limitation applies as well.
Three years sounds like a long time. It isn’t. Evidence gets harder to preserve. Witnesses move or forget. And attorneys need time to investigate before filing.
If you’re a family member of one of the men killed in this crash, the clock has been running since the day they died — not since Thursday’s verdict.
What Evidence Still Exists That Could Support a Civil Case?
A civil attorney would look at:
- Dashcam and bodycam footage from the officer’s vehicle and nearby patrol units
- Dispatch records and radio traffic
- The officer’s driving history and any prior disciplinary records within the department
- Accident reconstruction reports prepared for the criminal case
- Witness testimony from the criminal trial (which is now public record)
- The autopsy and medical examiner’s findings
All of that evidence was developed for the criminal case. In a civil lawsuit, the families’ attorneys can use it — and demand more through the discovery process.
If you want to understand how physical evidence works in crash cases, dashcam footage and documentation can play a significant role in building a civil claim.
What Should the Families Do Right Now?
- Don’t sign anything from the city, an insurance company, or anyone representing the officer or municipality.
- Preserve everything you have — any communications, photos, records, or notes from the criminal case.
- Contact a civil attorney who handles wrongful death and police misconduct — not just a general personal injury lawyer.
- Ask specifically about § 1983 claims and whether the city itself may have liability.
- Act before the statute of limitations closes the door.
Families in situations like this sometimes feel like the system already failed them once. That hesitation is understandable. But waiting makes the civil path harder, not easier.
For broader context on what families and victims can do after a fatal crash involving police conduct, we’ve written about similar situations in Macomb County before.
A Note on Who Handles These Cases
Not every personal injury attorney handles civil rights claims against police or municipalities. These cases require specific knowledge of qualified immunity doctrine, federal civil rights law, and how to navigate claims against government entities.
At Khamo Law, PLLC, attorney Brandon McNeal focuses specifically on civil rights and police misconduct matters. He has handled cases in the Warren area and understands both the legal complexity and the human weight of what families are carrying after an outcome like Thursday’s. You can learn more about Brandon’s approach to police misconduct cases and what these cases look like in practice.
For families who speak Arabic or Chaldean, our firm also includes attorneys fluent in those languages — because this process is hard enough without a language barrier in the middle of it.
The Michigan courts and federal civil rights statutes give families real tools even after an acquittal. The question is whether someone is going to use them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a family sue a police officer who was found not guilty in a criminal trial?
Yes. A criminal acquittal doesn’t prevent a civil lawsuit. The two proceedings use different standards of proof. A not guilty verdict in a criminal case means the prosecution didn’t meet the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard — it doesn’t mean the officer had no civil liability. Civil cases require only that the evidence tips more likely toward the defendant’s fault than not.
What is a wrongful death claim in Michigan?
A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit brought on behalf of a deceased person’s estate. Under MCL 600.2922, the personal representative of the estate can seek compensation for financial losses, loss of companionship, funeral costs, and other damages caused by another party’s conduct. The family doesn’t share the money equally by default — distribution is governed by Michigan’s estate laws.
What is a Section 1983 claim and does it apply here?
42 U.S.C. § 1983 is a federal law that allows people to sue government officials — including police officers — who violate their constitutional rights while acting under color of law. If the officer in this case was acting in his official capacity when the crash occurred, a § 1983 claim may be available. These claims are subject to qualified immunity defenses, which is why an attorney experienced in civil rights litigation needs to evaluate them.
How long do the families have to file a civil lawsuit?
For wrongful death claims in Michigan, the statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of death under MCL 600.5805(2). For § 1983 federal civil rights claims, Michigan’s three-year personal injury limitation also applies. The families should consult an attorney as soon as possible — don’t wait for the clock to become a problem.
Can the City of Warren be sued, not just the individual officer?
Possibly. If the city failed to properly train or supervise the officer, or if there were prior incidents that the city ignored, there may be a claim against the municipality itself. Cities can face liability under both state law and federal civil rights law. This is one reason these cases require attorneys who understand municipal liability — not just standard auto accident law.
Does it cost anything to talk to a lawyer about a civil claim?
At Khamo Law, PLLC, the initial consultation is free. Wrongful death and civil rights cases are typically handled on a contingency basis — meaning the family pays no attorney fees unless there is a recovery. You don’t need money upfront to explore your options.
If your family was affected by this crash and you want to understand what civil options remain, talk to us before you sign anything or accept any contact from the city or its insurers. Khamo Law, PLLC offers a free consultation — call 248-988-9618 or reach out through the contact form. We serve Warren, Sterling Heights, and the wider Macomb County area. Arabic and Chaldean speakers are welcome