Case: ACLU v. Mercer County Kentucky

5:01-cv-00480 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

Filed Date: Nov. 27, 2001

Closed Date: 2006

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On November 27, 2001, the ACLU and complainant filed this First Amendment case in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, against Mercer County, claiming that display of the Ten Commandments inside the county courthouse constituted an endorsement of religion in violation of the First Amendment's prohibition of the establishment of religion.The District court (Judge Karl S. Forster) denied the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction 240 F.Supp.2d 623 (E.D.K…

On November 27, 2001, the ACLU and complainant filed this First Amendment case in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, against Mercer County, claiming that display of the Ten Commandments inside the county courthouse constituted an endorsement of religion in violation of the First Amendment's prohibition of the establishment of religion.

The District court (Judge Karl S. Forster) denied the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction 240 F.Supp.2d 623 (E.D.Ky. Jan 22, 2003)(NO. CIV.A. 01-480-KSF); and granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment, holding that there was no violation since the predominant purpose of the county display was secular - in that it was part of a display of eight other objectively secular historical documents.

219 F.Supp.2d 777 (E.D.Ky. Sep 06, 2002) (NO. CIV.A. 01-480-KSF)

Plaintiffs appealed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. On April 27, 2004, the appellate court affirmed the district court's judgment 432 F.3d 624, 2005 Fed.App. 0477P (6th Cir.(Ky.) Dec 20, 2005) (NO. 03-5142) and later denied plaintiffs' motion for rehearing en banc. 446 F.3d 651, 2006 Fed.App. 0146P (6th Cir. Apr 24, 2006) (NO. 03-5142)

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (6/9/2008)

People


Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

5:01-cv-00480

Docket [PACER]

ACLU v. Mercer County

May 4, 2006

May 4, 2006

Docket
28

5:01-cv-00480

Opinion & Order

ACLU v. Mercer County

Sept. 6, 2002

Sept. 6, 2002

Order/Opinion

219 F.Supp.2d 777

38

5:01-cv-00480

Opinion & Order

ACLU v. Mercer County

Jan. 22, 2003

Jan. 22, 2003

Order/Opinion

240 F.Supp.2d 623

03-05142

Opinion

ACLU v. Mercer County

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Dec. 20, 2005

Dec. 20, 2005

Order/Opinion

432 F.3d 624

03-05142

Order

ACLU v. Mercer County

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

April 24, 2006

April 24, 2006

Order/Opinion

446 F.3d 651

Resources

Docket

Last updated March 25, 2025, 8:14 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Nov. 27, 2001

COMPLAINT ( 2 summons(es) issued) with copy, Fee Paid $ 150.00, Receipt No. 095048 and given to atty for service (DC) (Entered: 11/28/2001)

PACER
2 Dec. 17, 2001

MOTION by plaintiff Amer Civil Liberties, plaintiff Bart McQueary for preliminary injunction (CBD) (Entered: 12/17/2001)

PACER
3 Dec. 17, 2001

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff Amer Civil Liberties, plaintiff Bart McQueary in support of motion for preliminary injunction [2-1] (CBD) (Entered: 12/17/2001)

PACER
4 Dec. 21, 2001

ANSWER by defendant to COMPLAINT [1-1] (DC) (Entered: 12/26/2001)

PACER
5 Jan. 2, 2002

MOTION by defendant Mercer Cty Kentucky, defendant Charles H. McGinnis for summary judgment (DC) (Entered: 01/02/2002)

PACER
6 Jan. 2, 2002

MEMORANDUM by defendant Mercer Cty Kentucky, defendant Charles H. McGinnis in support of motion for summary judgment [5-1] (DC) (Entered: 01/02/2002)

PACER
7 Jan. 7, 2002

ORDER FOR MEETING AND REPORT by Chief Judge Karl S. Forester counsel to conduct meeting by 02/07/02; exchange discl FILE written JOINT REPORT by 02/17/02; (cc: all counsel) [EOD Date: 1/7/02] (DC) (Entered: 01/07/2002)

PACER
8 Jan. 17, 2002

STIPULATION FOR ENLARGEMENT OF TIME for pltff reply brief in support of their preliminary injunction motion; 4 day entlargement of time re [2-1] (DC) (Entered: 01/18/2002)

PACER
9 Jan. 18, 2002

STIPULATION FOR SUPPLEMENTAL ENLARGEMENT OF TIME by parties; defts kindly have stipulated to a supplemental one business day enlargement of time through 1/22/02 for the filing of pltffs consolidated reply brief (DC) (Entered: 01/23/2002)

PACER
10 Jan. 23, 2002

MOTION by plaintiffs for leave to file reply/response brief one day late (DC) (Entered: 01/24/2002)

PACER
Jan. 23, 2002

PROPOSED Reply Memorandum in Support of Pltfs Motion for Preliminary Injunction & in Opposition to defts motion for sum jgm tendered by plaintiff Amer Civil Liberties, plaintiff Bart McQueary (DC) (Entered: 01/24/2002)

PACER
11 Jan. 24, 2002

OPPOSITION by plaintiff Amer Civil Liberties, plaintiff Bart McQueary to motion for summary judgment [5-1] (DC) (Entered: 01/24/2002)

PACER
12 Jan. 24, 2002

ORDER by Chief Judge Karl S. Forester granting motion for leave to file reply/response brief one day late [10-1] (cc: all counsel) [EOD Date: 1/24/02] (DC) (Entered: 01/24/2002)

PACER
13 Feb. 5, 2002

REPLY by defendant Mercer Cty Kentucky, defendant Charles H. McGinnis to response to motion for summary judgment [5-1] (DC) (Entered: 02/05/2002)

PACER
13 Feb. 5, 2002

OPPOSITION by defendant Mercer Cty Kentucky, defendant Charles H. McGinnis to motion for preliminary injunction [2-1] (DC) (Entered: 02/05/2002)

PACER
14 Feb. 21, 2002

REPORT OF PARTIES PLANNING MEETING (DC) (Entered: 02/21/2002)

PACER
15 Feb. 25, 2002

NOTICE by plaintiffs of Related Decision (DC) (Entered: 02/25/2002)

PACER
16 Feb. 28, 2002

NOTICE OF COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL RULE 7.1(j) by dfts (SKV) (Entered: 02/28/2002)

PACER
17 March 11, 2002

NOTICE OF RELATED DECISIONS by plaintiff Amer Civil Liberties, plaintiff Bart McQueary (CBD) (Entered: 03/11/2002)

PACER
18 March 13, 2002

NOTICE by defendants of Supplemental Authority (DC) (Entered: 03/13/2002)

PACER
19 May 20, 2002

NOTICE by plaintiffs of Related Decision (ACLU of KY v. Grayson Cty KY) copy attached (DC) (Entered: 05/21/2002)

PACER
20 July 9, 2002

ORDER by Chief Judge Karl S. Forester: matter SET for hearing on pending matters 8/22/02 @ 9:00 AM (cc: all counsel) [EOD Date: 7/9/02] (SKV) (Entered: 07/09/2002)

PACER
21 July 15, 2002

MAIL Returned [20-1] addressed Caroline Griffith to plaintiff Amer Civil Liberties (DC) (Entered: 07/16/2002)

PACER
24 Aug. 22, 2002

GENERAL MINUTES OF HEARING ON PENDING MATTERS HELD before Judge Forester on 08/22/02; Court Reporter, Cindy Hutchinson; 1) Court finds plaintiffs have proper standing to bring action; 2) plaintiffs' mtn for preliminary injunction [2-1] DENIED; 3) dfts' mtn for sum/jgm [5-1] DENIED w/out prejudice; 4) Cnsl granted 120 days to complete discovery; Court's more detailed written opinion will follow (cc: all counsel) [EOD Date: 8/28/02] (SKV) (Entered: 08/28/2002)

PACER
22 Aug. 23, 2002

NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant by Mathew D. Staver, Erik W. Stanley (RSB) (Entered: 08/23/2002)

PACER
23 Aug. 23, 2002

MOTION by defendant for attorney Erik W. Stanley to appear pro hac vice (RSB) (Entered: 08/23/2002)

PACER
Aug. 23, 2002

FEE PAID $ 65.00, Receipt No. 101836 (RSB) (Entered: 08/23/2002)

PACER
Aug. 23, 2002

SUBMITTED re motion for attorney Erik W. Stanley to appear pro hac vice [23-1] is submitted (RSB) (Entered: 08/23/2002)

PACER
25 Aug. 28, 2002

ORDER by Chief Judge Karl S. Forester: 1) dft mtn for atty Erik W. Stanley to appear pro hac vice [23-1] GRANTED; 2) atty admitted to appear pro hac vice as co-cnsl for dfts; 3) atty subject to jurisdiction and rules of KY Supreme Court governing professional conduct (cc: all counsel) [EOD Date: 8/28/02] (SKV) (Entered: 08/28/2002)

PACER
26 Aug. 29, 2002

MOTION by dft Mercer Cty Kentucky, Charles H. McGinnis for attorney Mathew D. Staver to appear pro hac vice FEE PD 101862 (KJR) (Entered: 08/29/2002)

PACER
27 Sept. 4, 2002

MAIL Returned [25-1] addressed to Caroline L. Laurie Griffith (SKV) (Entered: 09/04/2002)

PACER
28 Sept. 6, 2002

MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER by Chief Judge Karl S. Forester: 1) pla mtn for preliminary injunction [2-1] DENIED; 2) dfts' mtn for sum/jgm [6-1] DENIED; 3) ptys granted 120 days from 8/22/02 to conduct discovery (cc: all counsel) [EOD Date: 9/6/02] (SKV) (Entered: 09/06/2002)

PACER
29 Sept. 16, 2002

MAIL Returned [28-1], [28-2] addressed to Caroline Griffith (JM) (Entered: 09/16/2002)

PACER
30 Sept. 20, 2002

ORDER by Chief Judge Karl S. Forester. Matter beforecourt sua sparte; plas atty to direct court w/in 10 days as to whether atty Caroline Griffith will remain atty of record in cas. If so, she is to inform court of new address w/in 10 days (cc: all counsel) [EOD Date: 9/20/02] (SKV) (Entered: 09/20/2002)

PACER
31 Sept. 26, 2002

MAIL Returned addressed to caroline griffith, esq. Moved/left no forwarding address [30-1] (JM) (Entered: 09/26/2002)

PACER
32 Oct. 4, 2002

NOTICE by pla Amer Civil Liberties of new address for C. Griffith (JM) (Entered: 10/04/2002)

PACER
33 Nov. 12, 2002

ORDER by Chief Judge Karl S. Forester 1) dfts mtn for pro hac vice [26-1] GRANTED; 2) atty shall be permitted to appear pro hac vice as co counsel for dfts; 3) said atty subject to jurisdiction and rules of KY supreme court (cc: all counsel) [EOD Date: 11/12/02] (JM) (Entered: 11/12/2002)

PACER
34 Dec. 24, 2002

RENEWED MOTION by dfts Mercer Cty Kentucky, Charles H. McGinnis for summary judgment w/ memo in support attached (JM) (Entered: 12/26/2002)

PACER
35 Jan. 10, 2003

STIPULATION FOR ENLARGEMENT OF TIME -plas to respond to dfts renewed mtn for sumjgm [34-1] by 01/17/03 (JM) (Entered: 01/13/2003)

PACER
36 Jan. 17, 2003

RESPONSE by plas to dfts renewed mtn for summary judgment [34-1] (JM) Modified on 01/21/2003 (Entered: 01/17/2003)

PACER
37 Jan. 22, 2003

REPLY by dfts to plas response to renewed mtn for sumjgm [34-1] (JM) (Entered: 01/22/2003)

PACER
38 Jan. 22, 2003

OPINION & ORDER by Chief Judge Karl S. Forester: 1) dfts' mtn for sum/jgm [34-1] GRANTED & judgment entered (cc: all counsel) [EOD Date: 1/22/03] (SKV) (Entered: 01/22/2003)

PACER
39 Jan. 22, 2003

JUDGMENT by Chief Judge Karl S. Forester: 1) summary judgment entered in favor of dfts & plaintiffs claims are DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE; 2) Jgm FINAL; 3) matter STRICKEN from docket (cc: all counsel) [EOD Date 1/22/03] (SKV) (Entered: 01/22/2003)

PACER
41 Jan. 27, 2003

NOTIFICATION to 6CCA; Short Record Mailed, Appeal Package Mailed to Appellant, Copy of Docket Sheet to Parties; [40-1] (cc: all counsel) (JM) (Entered: 01/30/2003)

PACER
Jan. 27, 2003

RECEIVED re [40-1] fee in amount of $ 105.00 ( Receipt # 099963) (JM) (Entered: 01/30/2003)

PACER
42 Feb. 10, 2003

NOTIFICATION by 6CCA of Appellate Docket Number 03-5142 (JM) (Entered: 02/10/2003)

PACER
43 Feb. 12, 2003

TRANSCRIPT DESIGNATION and Ordering Form; transcript is unnecessary for appeal purposes (JM) (Entered: 02/13/2003)

PACER
44 Oct. 23, 2003

NOTICE OF DEATH OF REPRESENTATIVE DEFENDANT AND NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTION by dfts (JM) (Entered: 10/23/2003)

PACER
45 Dec. 22, 2005

USCA JUDGMENT as to 40 Notice of Appeal filed by American Civil Liberties Union Of Kentucky, Bart McQueary, ORDERED that judgment of district court is AFFIRMED (LKM) (Entered: 12/22/2005)

PACER
46 Jan. 27, 2006

NOTICE of Change of Address by Erik W. Stanley, Mathew D. Staver (LKM) (Entered: 01/27/2006)

PACER
47 April 25, 2006

INFORMATION COPY OF ORDER/JUDGMENT of USCA as to 40 Notice of Appeal filed by American Civil Liberties Union Of Kentucky, Bart McQueary denying request for rehearing. (LKM) (Entered: 04/26/2006)

PACER
48 May 4, 2006

MANDATE of USCA as to 40 Notice of Appeal filed by American Civil Liberties Union Of Kentucky, Bart McQueary (LKM) (Entered: 05/04/2006)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Kentucky

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 27, 2001

Closing Date: 2006

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

ACLU

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

County

Mercer County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Establishment Clause

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Kentucky 5:01-cv-00480

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit 03-05142

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief denied

Recommended Citation