Deromano v. Jefferson County Sheriff's Department et al

On December 3, 2025, Marcus Deromano filed a federal lawsuit against the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and two deputies, alleging excessive force during a traffic stop in Birmingham, Alabama. Deromano claimed that after a minor moving violation, deputies Keller and Lopez pulled him from his vehicle, threw him to the ground, and repeatedly struck him despite his compliance, causing a fractured orbital bone and severe bruising. Body camera footage partially captured the incident but was obscured at critical moments. The department launched an internal investigation, while Deromano sought compensatory and punitive damages under Section 1983, asserting violations of his Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

The case proceeded to discovery. As of mid-2026, the court denied the defendants' motion for summary judgment on qualified immunity, finding genuine disputes of material fact regarding the degree of force and the clarity of the law. A jury trial is anticipated in late 2026, pending potential settlement negotiations.

Whether the deputies' use of force was objectively unreasonable under the circumstances, thereby violating Deromano's constitutional right against unreasonable seizure; whether the deputies are entitled to qualified immunity; and whether the Sheriff's Department maintained policies or customs exhibiting deliberate indifference to excessive force.

The lawsuit intensified local and national scrutiny of Jefferson County law enforcement practices, spurring community protests and calls for enhanced police accountability. Civil rights organizations cited the case as emblematic of ongoing problems with excessive force and the qualified immunity defense, while police unions argued it highlighted the need for clearer use-of-force guidelines. The incident also prompted the county to consider expanding body camera activation policies.