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From the record $640,000 jury verdict, with the jury crediting the expert testimony. Hunter v. City of Federal Way, W.D. Wash.
Retention $9,000 flat fee · discovery review and the written report Full case history Washington casework · The deepest state record Florida practice · Based in Naples For Retaining Counsel The Library · Guides for counsel
The practice The team · Three experts, over 110 years Professor Gregory Gilbertson (Ret.) Sheriff Robert Snaza · Independent consultant FBI Special Agent Christopher Holland (Ret.) · Independent consultant Law enforcement expert witness · What the discipline covers
Use of Force · Chokeholds & Restraints

Chokeholds &
Restraints

Direct line: (239) 571-1840  ·  GregoryGilbertson@proton.me

Attorney and law-firm inquiries only

Restraint force is where training and practice separate fastest: chokeholds, carotid and neck restraints, prone and positional restraint, and force applied to people already in handcuffs. The analysis measures what was done against what national standards and agency policy authorize.

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The Scope

What this covers.

Within this engagement

  • Chokeholds and carotid or neck restraints
  • Prone and positional restraints
  • Hands-on physical force
  • Force against restrained or handcuffed people
  • Duty to render or request medical aid during restraint
  • Agency restraint policy and training analysis
How it is analyzed

Video of the restraint sequence, use-of-force and supplemental reports, medical records where counsel provides them, officer training files, and the agency's restraint policies, read against national standards and the duty to render aid.

Engagement terms and the published fee schedule: For Retaining Counsel →

From the Record

Related casework.

Jury verdict

Josiah Hunter v. City of Federal Way

U.S. District Court, W.D. Wash.

Trial testimony on excessive force; the jury agreed and awarded $640,000.

Case accounts as published by retaining counsel. No result is promised for any other matter.

From the Library

Working references for this practice area.

Guides for retaining counsel, written from the same record this analysis reads.

Force OptionsForce Options and Decision ModelsRead the guideThe StandardGraham v. Connor, Explained for LitigatorsRead the guideThe LensThe Totality of the Circumstances in Force AnalysisRead the guideThe StopThe Traffic Stop as Practiced: Approach, Commands and ControlRead the guideThe ReportUse-of-Force Reporting: What the Officer's Report Must ContainRead the guideThe YardstickWhat Generally Accepted Police Practices MeansRead the guide

The Library, in full

Questions

Before the record is sent.

Was the restraint itself the excessive force?
That is the exact question the analysis answers: whether the restraint used, its duration, and the response to distress were consistent with national police standards, agency policy, and the officer's training, on the totality of the circumstances.
What does retention cost?
A non-refundable $9,000 flat fee covering discovery review and the written expert report, with a bullet-point outline approved with counsel before writing begins. The full published schedule is on the For Counsel page.
Retain

Send a restraint record.

Attorney and law-firm inquiries only. Conflicts are checked before anything substantive, and you will hear about a conflict immediately.

Chokehold & restraint inquiry

For counsel with a neck restraint or prone-restraint matter.

Inquiry sent.

You will hear back directly. If the matter is urgent, call (239) 571-1840.

(239) 571-1840Direct line, Naples, Florida GregoryGilbertson@proton.meDirect email, prefilled for this matter.
Nationwide practiceRetained in 42 states and D.C. · Based in Naples, FL

Conflicts are checked before any substantive discussion. Please do not send privileged material with a first inquiry; after retention the record is exchanged on physical media. Gregory consults for attorneys and their staff only, and does not provide legal advice or attorney referrals to individuals.

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