Filed Date: 2020
Closed Date: May 4, 2020
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On April 24, 2020, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, and the Youth Justice Coalition started this case by filing a petition in the California Supreme Court. The petitioners--member organizations composed of system-involved individuals and attorneys representing detained clients--sued California’s governor and attorney general under state law. The plaintiffs, represented by the ACLU and private counsel, sought emergency and declaratory relief, claiming violations of the Eighth Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment due process clause, and the California state constitution. Specifically, the petitioners alleged that California had not sufficiently acted to protect the health of California residents in jails and juvenile facilities from COVID-19 and that correctional facilities lacked infrastructure for physical distancing and adequate hygiene. They sought an order to release detained individuals such that facilities could create conditions consistent with public health guidance to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
On April 28, 2020 the state filed their preliminary opposition. The state contended that local officials in charge of their respective facilities had the duty to remedy any violations and that trial courts were better suited to resolve the factual issues raised in the petition. On April 30, the petitioners filed their reply.
On May 4, 2020 the California Supreme Court denied the petition without prejudice to future actions raising similar claims against these respondents in county superior courts. 2020 Cal. LEXIS 3096. In its reasoning, the court found that the petition sought remedies that involved a wide range of local conditions. According to the court, petitioners’ concerns invoked local responsibility for addressing facilities’ conditions. The order urged California superior courts to proceed rapidly to adequately respond to COVID-19. The case concluded.
Summary Authors
Lily Sawyer-Kaplan (6/14/2020)
Cantil-Sakauye, Tani (California)
Agarwal, Shilpi (California)
Bibring, Peter (California)
Eliasberg, Peter J. (California)
Evans, Kelli M. (California)
Eliasberg, Peter J. (California)
Guneratne, Kathleen (California)
Kreilkamp, Jacob S. (California)
Lemoine, Melinda Eades (California)
Markovitz, Jonathan Paul (California)
Marquis, Estalyn S. (California)
McDermott, Sara A. (California)
Rodriguez, Ariana E. (California)
Stubbs, Cassandra (North Carolina)
Takei, Carl (District of Columbia)
Temko, William D. (California)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:51 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: California
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: 2020
Closing Date: May 4, 2020
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys is a membership organizations of criminal defense attorneys handling adult and juvenile cases; California Attorneys for Criminal Justice is a membership organization of criminal defense attorneys in California; and the Youth Justice Coalition is a membership organization focused on youth in the criminal justice system
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
California Attorney General, State
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Due Process: Substantive Due Process
Special Case Type(s):
Appellate Court is initial court
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Sanitation / living conditions
COVID-19:
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Medical/Mental Health Care: