Police brutality is a very serious matter that can shake a city or town's confidence in its local authorities. While such an accusation has not been made in the case of a 23-year-old man from Fayetteville, North Carolina, there are some questions about how he was apprehended on misdemeanor charges in connection with a robbery.

This past Sunday, officers responded to a shoplifting call at a local gas station. Someone stole a box of cigarettes from the station, and a description of the perpetrator matched the 23-year-old. Police officers at the scene claim that when they approached the 23-year-old at a nearby shopping center, the young man was "aggressive."

A Taser was used on the 23-year-old after he moved behind a building in the complex. Police say the Taser "seemingly unaffected" the young man, but eventually they subdued their target. When the 23-year-old was taken to a Cumberland County jail, he became unresponsive and had to be taken to a local hospital for treatment.

A misdemeanor charge was filed against the young man for assault on a government official, and he was also charged with resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer. Though details were sparse in this case, it seems that excessive force was used by police when they took the 23-year-old into custody. Police could have used multiple - and potentially unnecessary - Taser shots that could have left the young man with medical complications.

Another aspect of this case is the "aggressive" nature of the 23-year-old when he was confronted by police. It is possible that he may have just acted defensively because he had never been approached by police accusing him of a crime.

Excessive force and police brutality can cause harm, serious injury or even death to a suspect in a criminal case. Should you be injured due to the unnecessary brutality of a police officer, discuss your situation with a criminal defense lawyer. An experienced attorney can inform you of your best course of legal action, and then defend you against a potentially unlawful arrest.

Source: WRAL, "Police: Fayetteville man assaulted officer, fled the scene," Bridget Whelan, Jan. 23, 2012