Rising Force in Civil Rights Law: Sarah Schielke Challenges Police Misconduct Through Public Accountability

When Sarah Schielke posted a Craigslist advertisement offering discount legal services in 2010, she embodied the spirit of innovation that would later transform civil rights litigation in Colorado. Fresh from Boston University School of Law and seeking a new beginning, she took an unconventional path that proved remarkably effective. “I can’t believe how many people look for lawyers on Craigslist because I got a ton of experience very quickly,” she reflects.

By 2012, Schielke had established the Life and Liberty Law Office, specializing in criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Her independent approach allowed her to develop unique strategies, particularly her practice of publicly releasing body camera footage from police encounters. This transparency-focused method has yielded unprecedented results in civil rights cases.

The impact of her approach became evident in the Karen Garner case, where she represented a woman with dementia who suffered injuries during a Loveland police arrest. Schielke’s release of body camera footage in April 2021 brought national attention to the case, leading to criminal charges against two officers. Austin Hopp received five years in prison, while Daria Jalali served 45 days with three years probation. The case settled for $3 million, far exceeding the typical $100,000 settlement.

Currently, Schielke is taking on Fort Collins Police Services with five lawsuits addressing alleged wrongful DUI arrests. The cases center on former officer Jason Haferman, who allegedly arrested more than 17 innocent people in just one year, all later proven innocent through blood tests. The consequences were devastating – victims lost jobs, missed promotions, and endured months of emotional trauma. Some parents even faced child protective services investigations simply because their children were present during the arrests.

Her investigation revealed troubling departmental oversight failures. Supervisors never reviewed Haferman’s body camera footage despite his pattern of disabling or muting the camera in violation of Colorado law. When confronted with these issues, department leadership defended the arrests rather than addressing the problems, prompting Schielke to call for the chief’s resignation.

Personal tragedy has shaped Schielke’s approach to justice. The loss of her father to cancer early in her career transformed her perspective, leading to her guiding principle that there are “two types of people: good people and good people in pain.” This understanding informs both her legal practice and personal philosophy.

Her academic journey includes graduating magna cum laude from Middlebury College with a psychology degree before attending law school on a full academic merit scholarship. These achievements laid the foundation for her success, which was recognized by her selection as USA TODAY’s Women of the Year honoree for Colorado.

One of her proudest moments came when she faced potential contempt charges for releasing body camera footage in Clear Creek County. Despite judicial pressure, she stood firm in her commitment to transparency, ensuring her client’s record-breaking $7 million settlement.

With support from her husband, a stay-at-home father to their children, Schielke continues to challenge police misconduct through innovative legal strategies. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and is willing to seek guidance from experienced colleagues when facing challenges.

Through her groundbreaking approach to civil rights litigation, Schielke has established herself as a powerful advocate for justice in Colorado. Her work ensures substantial settlements for her clients and drives systematic change in law enforcement accountability, setting new standards for transparency and responsibility in police conduct.