Filed Date: March 12, 2014
Closed Date: July 1, 2014
Clearinghouse coding complete
This is a case about a Protection and Advocacy agency’s (P&A) records and residents access authority during an investigation. On March 12, 2014, Disability Rights Iowa (DRI), Iowa’s P&A, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa against Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office and the Sheriff in his personal capacity. DRI asserted the defendants violated the PAIMI Act when they refused to provide DRI records and let DRI interview staff surrounding an incident where an individual was tased four times at the Muscatine County Jail. Represented by itself, DRI sought declarative and injunctive relief that required the Sheriff’s Office provide DRI with the records requested and allow them to interview relevant staff. Judge John A. Jarvey initially presided over this matter, and subsequently referred the matter to Magistrate Judge Celeste F. Bremer.
In October 2013, DRI received a report that an individual detained at the Muscatine County Jail was tasered four times in less than 10 minutes. DRI began an investigation under the PAIMI Act, and sought records and investigations concerning the taser, as well as the jail’s taser training policies and records. , The Sheriff’s Office allowed DRI into the jail, but barred them from interviewing relevant jail staff. In March 2014, DRI filed a Motion for Summary Judgement requesting injunctive relief to access the records they requested and interview relevant staff. On July 1, 2014, DRI voluntarily dismissed the case before the court decided the motion. The court terminated the case on July 2, 2014.
Summary Authors
NDRN (10/17/2022)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13104025/parties/disability-rights-iowa-v-white/
Jarvey, John Alfred (Iowa)
Grauerholz, Jayna (Iowa)
Hudson, Jane (Iowa)
Gallagher, Jonathan (Iowa)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13104025/disability-rights-iowa-v-white/
Last updated March 2, 2026, 1:48 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 12, 2014
Closing Date: July 1, 2014
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
protection and advocacy organizational plaintiff seeking access to residents and staff in facilities
Attorney Organizations:
NDRN/Protection & Advocacy Organizations
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
County
Muscatine County Sherriff
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)
Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Act, 42 U.S.C. § 10801
Other Dockets:
Southern District of Iowa 4:14-cv-00092
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed
Relief Granted:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Disability and Disability Rights:
Case Summary of Disability Rights Iowa v. White, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/18364/ (last updated 10/17/2022).