Chicago police officer accused of arresting a man without probable cause

A Chicago man is suing a police officer who arrested him over claims the officer lacked probable cause.

Samuel R. Griffin filed a lawsuit Nov. 15 in the Cook County Circuit Court against a Chicago police officer with the last name Cannata and badge No. 11833, citing violations of the Fourth Amendment, false arrest/imprisonment and malicious prosecution.

Griffin is being represented by Chicago attorney Hall Adams.

According to the complaint, Cannata was working as a police officer for the city of Chicago on Nov 18, 2012, when he placed Griffin under arrest and caused him to be jailed for approximately six months.

The suit alleges the officer lacked probable cause to arrest Griffin, in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

Griffin is seeking damages in excess of $50,000.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2013L012998.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Cook County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note that a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it represents only one side of the story.