A federal appeals court ruled two Aventura police officers lack qualified immunity in a lawsuit alleging they used excessive force while arresting attorney Dara Clarke during a development protest. She is now running for the City Commission.

Sgt. Terry Scott is accused of stomping on Clarke’s right foot and twisting her arm behind her back during the February 2015 arrest. The lawsuit claims Officer Joseph Craig pulled her other arm behind her back, and the two tightly handcuffed her and lifted her off the ground for 30 to 60 seconds.