Filed Date: March 15, 2007
Closed Date: 2009
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On March 15, 2007, men and women who attended a music event at a nightclub in Flint, Michigan filed a class action lawsuit under 42 U.S.C § 1983 against the City of Flint Police Department and Genesee County Sheriff Department in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division. The plaintiffs, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, asked the court for injunctive, declaratory, and monetary relief, alleging that police violated the plaintiff's rights against unreasonable search and seizure and freedom of speech, association and assembly under the United States Constitution. Plaintiffs also claimed state law violations including false arrest and false imprisonment, unlawful strip search under MCL §764.25a, unlawful body cavity search under MCL§764.25b, assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
On March 19, 2005 the plaintiffs attended an electronic music event at a night club in Flint, MI. The Flint Police Department and Genesee County Sheriff's Department sent undercover officers to the event. Four patrons allegedly sold drugs to the officers. Subsequently, the police arrested all patrons in the club. The plaintiffs were detained, charged with a crime, strip searched, and in some cases subjected to body cavity searches, because of their presence at the club. Plaintiffs were charged with Frequenting a Disorderly House (Flint City Ordinance §31-11). On October 13, 2006, the Genesee County Circuit Court ruled there was no probable cause for the plaintiffs' arrests, and on January 9, 2007, the charges were dismissed with prejudice.
On April 6, 2007 the District Court (Judge Paul v. Gadola) declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims and dismissed them without prejudice. The parties jointly sought reconsideration. On June 8, 2007 the District Court (Judge Gadola) vacated the order dismissing the state law claims. On September 4, 2008 the case was reassigned from District Judge Paul V. Gadola to District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III.
On October 21, 2009 the parties reached a settlement agreement, which required the City of Flint to establish policies regarding strip searches and body cavity searches and to implement a training program for law enforcement officers regarding strip searches. On October 26, 2009 the plaintiffs filed a motion to certify the settlement class. On December 14, 2009, the District Court (Judge Stephen J. Murphy III) issued a consent decree approving the settlement agreement and settlement class. On February 23, 2010, the District Court (Judge Murphy) issued a stipulated order of dismissal with prejudice.
Summary Authors
Joe Reiter (3/17/2011)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4852710/parties/thompson-v-flint-city-of/
Gadola, Paul V. (Michigan)
Crane, Maureen M. (Michigan)
Ellias, Lauri R. (Michigan)
Gibbs, Gregory T. (Michigan)
Edmunds, Michael W. (Michigan)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4852710/thompson-v-flint-city-of/
Last updated Feb. 4, 2025, 6:35 p.m.
State / Territory: Michigan
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 15, 2007
Closing Date: 2009
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Plaintiffs are men and women who attended an electronic music event at a night club in Flint, MI. They were detained, charged with a crime, strip searched, and in some cases body cavity searched, because of their presence at the club.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
City of Flint (Flint, Genesee), City
Genesee County (Flint, Genesee), County
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Unreasonable search and seizure
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Amount Defendant Pays: 900,000
Issues