Case: Hull v. Hicks

2:80-00101 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Filed Date: Feb. 12, 1980

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Case Summary

In approximately 1980, juveniles at the Athens County Juvenile Detention Center filed a class action lawsuit against the County of Athens in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging that their confinement in the detention center violated certain of their constitutional and statutory rights. Plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, sought declaratory and injunctive relief and money damages. On March 5, 1981, the district court …

In approximately 1980, juveniles at the Athens County Juvenile Detention Center filed a class action lawsuit against the County of Athens in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging that their confinement in the detention center violated certain of their constitutional and statutory rights. Plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, sought declaratory and injunctive relief and money damages.

On March 5, 1981, the district court (Judge Robert M. Duncan) certified the class to include all juveniles under the age of eighteen who were or would be confined in the Athens County Juvenile Detention Center since September 1, 1978. On November 9, 1982, the parties entered into a settlement agreement. This was conditioned on the plaintiffs' class filing an application with the court for authority to settle the matter, which the named plaintiffs filed on November 12, 1982.

On November 18, 1982, the district court ordered for a hearing on the proposed settlement agreement to take place on December 14, 1982. Based on that hearing the court (Judge Duncan) issued a consent decree finding the proposed settlement fair and reasonable. The settlement agreement covered issues including how rooms should be furnished, proper procedures for initial intake, standards for pre-hearing detention, guidelines for fingerprinting and photographing, required standards for medical attention, procedures for handling intoxicated juveniles, notification of law enforcement agencies, and monthly exchange of information between the Sheriff and counsel for plaintiffs and the district court. We have no further information on this case.

Summary Authors

Emilee Baker (5/24/2006)

People


Judge(s)

Duncan, Robert Morton (Ohio)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Gwinn, Susan L. (Ohio)

Murphy, Denis J. (Ohio)

Attorney for Defendant

Robe, Edward S. (Ohio)

Sloan, Steven T. (Ohio)

Judge(s)

Duncan, Robert Morton (Ohio)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:80-00101

Consent Decree

Dec. 16, 1982

Dec. 16, 1982

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated March 27, 2024, 3:02 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Ohio

Case Type(s):

Juvenile Institution

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 12, 1980

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

All juveniles under the age of eighteen who were or would be confined in the Athens County Juvenile Detention Center since September 1, 1978

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Athens County, Ohio, County

Athens County Juvenile Detention Center and the Athens County Jail (def) (Athens), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Due Process: Substantive Due Process

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 1982 - None

Issues

General:

Disciplinary procedures

Sanitation / living conditions

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run