Case: U.S. v. Sutton

2:07-cr-00426 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Filed Date: Jan. 31, 2007

Closed Date: Oct. 25, 2007

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Case Summary

This is a federal criminal case in which the defendant, Franz Copeland Sutton, took the unusual position that he was entitled to a lesser sentence because he was subjected to unlawful conditions of confinement while housed in the Passaic County Jail in New Jersey. Sutton argued that the Jail, which contracted with the federal government to house federal prisoners, was severely overcrowded during his seven months of confinement. He presented evidence that the Jail was 50 years old and housed more than twice the number of inmates it was designed to hold. He claimed that, because of the overcrowding and poor physical condition of the facility, inmates were subjected to poor hygiene and sanitation, triple bunking, and exposure to fire hazards. He also alleged that the Jail had been in violation of the municipal fire code for years.

The suit was ultimately resolved on October 25, 2007 when the District Court (Judge Katharine S. Hayden) found the Jail conditions to be so appalling that they warranted a reduction in Sutton's criminal sentence. U.S. v. Sutton, 2007 WL 3170128 (D.N.J. Oct. 25, 2007). This case was closed in 2007.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (2/21/2008)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5734887/parties/united-states-v-sutton/

Judge(s)

Hayden, Katharine Sweeney (New Jersey)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Kim, Nicole Miah (New Jersey)

Attorney for Defendant

Carter, Peter Michael (New Jersey)

Judge(s)

Hayden, Katharine Sweeney (New Jersey)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Kim, Nicole Miah (New Jersey)

Attorney for Defendant

Carter, Peter Michael (New Jersey)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

2:07-cr-00426	Docket (PACER)	Oct. 25, 2007	Oct. 25, 2007 Docket
17 2:07-cr-00426	Opinion on Defendant’s Application for Downward Variance as a Federal Detainee Housed in Passaic County Jail	Oct. 25, 2007	Oct. 25, 2007 Order/Opinion 2007 WL 3170128

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5734887/united-states-v-sutton/

Last updated April 6, 2025, 11:55 a.m.

Docket for: United States v. SUTTON

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Jan. 31, 2007	COMPLAINT as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON. (nm, ) [2:07−mj−06014−RJH] (Entered: 01/31/2007)	PACER
2	Jan. 31, 2007	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Ronald J. Hedges :Initial Appearance as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON held on 1/31/2007. Financial affidavit submitted by deft. Waiver of preliminary hearing placed on the record. (Tape #CD 06−25.) (nm, ) [2:07−mj−06014−RJH] (Entered: 01/31/2007)	PACER
3	Jan. 31, 2007	ORDER APPOINTING FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON PETER MICHAEL CARTER for FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON appointed. . Signed by Judge Ronald J. Hedges on 1/31/07. (nm, ) [2:07−mj−06014−RJH] (Entered: 01/31/2007)	PACER
4	Jan. 31, 2007	ORDER OF DETENTION as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON . Signed by Judge Ronald J. Hedges on 1/31/07. (nm, ) [2:07−mj−06014−RJH] (Entered: 01/31/2007)	PACER
	Jan. 31, 2007	Arrest of FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON (nm, ) [2:07−mj−06014−RJH] (Entered: 01/31/2007)	PACER
5	Feb. 16, 2007	ORDER TO CONTINUE − Ends of Justice as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON Time excluded from 1/31/07 until 3/31/07. . Signed by Judge Ronald J. Hedges on 2/16/07. (nm, ) [2:07−mj−06014−RJH] (Entered: 02/20/2007)	PACER
6	March 22, 2007	ORDER TO CONTINUE − Ends of Justice as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON Time excluded from 3/31/07 until 5/31/07.. Signed by Judge Ronald J. Hedges on 3/22/07. (nm, ) Additional attachment(s) added on 3/23/2007 (nm, ). [2:07−mj−06014−RJH] (Entered: 03/23/2007)	PACER
7	May 22, 2007	INFORMATION as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON (1) count(s) 1. (rg, ) (Entered: 05/23/2007)	PACER
8	May 22, 2007	WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON (rg, ) (Entered: 05/23/2007)	PACER
9	May 22, 2007	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Katharine S. Hayden :Plea Agreement Hearing as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON held on 5/22/2007, Plea entered by FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON (1) Guilty Count 1. Sentencing set for 7/9/2007 03:00 PM before Judge Katharine S. Hayden. (Court Reporter Ralph Florio.) (rg, ) (Entered: 05/23/2007)	PACER
10	May 22, 2007	APPLICATION for permission to enter Plea of guilty (rg, ) (Entered: 05/23/2007)	PACER
11	May 22, 2007	PLEA AGREEMENT as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON (rg, ) (Entered: 05/23/2007)	PACER
12	Sept. 10, 2007	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Katharine S. Hayden :Status Conference as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON held on 9/10/2007 (Court Reporter Ralph Florio.) (rg, ) (Entered: 09/10/2007)	PACER
13	Sept. 28, 2007	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Katharine S. Hayden :Evidentiary Hearing as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON held on 9/28/2007 (Court Reporter Ralph Florio.) (rg, ) Additional attachment(s) added on 10/3/2007 (rg, ). (Entered: 09/28/2007)	PACER
15	Oct. 3, 2007	ORDER as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON Defendant's supplementary sentencing brief due by 10/12/2007. Government supplementary sentencing brief due by 10/19/2007.. Signed by Judge Katharine S. Hayden on 10/3/07. (jn, ) (Entered: 10/03/2007)	PACER
16	Oct. 25, 2007	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Katharine S. Hayden :Sentencing held on 10/25/2007 for FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON (1), Count(s) 1, Defendant sentenced to 20 months of imprisonment; 3 years supervised release; shall refrain from the illega possession and/or use of drugs; shall cooperate with ICE, etc.; shall cooperate with DNA collection; Special assessment $100.00. (Court Reporter Ralph Florio.) (rg, ) (Entered: 10/26/2007)	PACER
17	Oct. 25, 2007	OPINION filed as to an application for a downward variance as a Federal Detainee housed in Passaic County Jail as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON. Signed by Judge Katharine S. Hayden on 10/25/07. (rg, )	RECAP
18	Oct. 25, 2007	JUDGMENT as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON (1), Count(s) 1, Defendant sentenced to 20 months of imprisonment; 3 years supervised release; shall refrain from the illega possession and/or use of drugs; shall cooperate with ICE, etc.; shall cooperate with DNA collection; Special assessment $100.00. Signed by Judge Katharine S. Hayden on 10/25/07. (NR) (Entered: 10/29/2007)	PACER
19	Feb. 25, 2008	TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings as to FRANZ COPELAND SUTTON held on September 28 and October 1 &25, 2007 before Judge Hayden. Court Reporter: Ralph Florio. PLEASE NOTE: The complete transcript of these proceedings is maintained in paper format on file in the Clerks Office. To request copies of this transcript, contact the Official Court Reporter or Transcription Service who prepared the transcript. (ji, ) (Entered: 02/25/2008)	PACER