Case: Leith v. County of Nassau

2:22-cv-06933 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Filed Date: Nov. 14, 2022

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case about allegations of racial discrimination against police officers conducting traffic stops in Nassau County. On November 14, 2022, a mother, who was stopped by Nassau police with her infant son and detained for 11 hours without being charged, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The plaintiff sued the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), as well as individual officers and a New York State Trooper who were involved in her stop and…

This is a case about allegations of racial discrimination against police officers conducting traffic stops in Nassau County. On November 14, 2022, a mother, who was stopped by Nassau police with her infant son and detained for 11 hours without being charged, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The plaintiff sued the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), as well as individual officers and a New York State Trooper who were involved in her stop and detainment.  She brought suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging violations of the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments, and New York state law. She brought claims alleging false arrest, malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, unreasonable search and seizure, abuse of process and fabrication of evidence, as well as racial profiling and race discrimination. Represented by private counsel, the plaintiff sought damages of more than $5 million, compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive relief and any other appropriate relief. The case was assigned to Judge Gary R. Brown and Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields.

Plaintiff filed an amended complaint on April 21, 2023, seeking to represent a class of similarly situated people and including class action allegations and claims. The amended complaint included additional data about NCPD’s arrests and traffic stops intended to show that the NCPD had a pattern of engaging in race based policing with higher arrest rates for Black and Brown people. The class action allegations sought injunctive and declaratory relief, as well as monetary damages, on behalf of all Black and Brown drivers in Nassau County who were stopped by the NCPD for improper, discriminatory, pre-textual or unlawful reasons. The amended complaint also added further claims under New York state human rights law, including disparate treatment and disparate impact as a result of NCPD’s policing practices.

On October 25, 2023, the court granted the defendants' motion to dismiss the racial profiling and racial discrimination claims. It cited the absence of allegations of a pattern of behavior by the individual defendants, or facts specific to the situation, such as use of racial slurs, to support a finding of animus on the part of the individuals.  It concluded, too, that absent discriminatory purpose on the part of the individual defendants, the municipality could not be held liable.

As of October 2024, this lawsuit is ongoing.

 

Summary Authors

Simran Takhar (6/27/2023)

Tessa Bialek (10/2/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/65752310/parties/leith-v-the-county-of-nassau/


Judge(s)

Brown, Gary R. (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Brewington, Frederick K. (New York)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

2:22-cv-06933

Complaint

Nov. 14, 2022

Nov. 14, 2022

Complaint
21

2:22-cv-06933

Second Amended Complaint

April 21, 2023

April 21, 2023

Complaint
39

2:22-cv-06933

Memorandum & Order

Leith v. The County Of Nassau

Oct. 25, 2023

Oct. 25, 2023

Order/Opinion

2023 WL 7017041

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/65752310/leith-v-the-county-of-nassau/

Last updated July 28, 2026, 8:32 p.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Nov. 14, 2022

COMPLAINT against John/Jane Does #1-10, New York State Troopers John Roes #1-10, K. Sovaras, The County of Nassau, The Nassau County Police Department filing fee $ 402, receipt number ANYEDC-16136661 Was the Disclosure Statement on Civil Cover Sheet completed -NO,, filed by Tivia Leith. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Proposed Summons) (Brewington, Frederick) (Entered: 11/14/2022)

RECAP
2 Nov. 14, 2022

This attorney case opening filing has been checked for quality control. See the attachment for corrections that were made. (LJ) (Entered: 11/14/2022)

RECAP
3 Nov. 14, 2022

In accordance with Rule 73 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Local Rule 73.1, the parties are notified that if all parties consent a United States magistrate judge of this court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action including a (jury or nonjury) trial and to order the entry of a final judgment. Attached to the Notice is a blank copy of the consent form that should be filled out, signed and filed electronically only if all parties wish to consent. The form may also be accessed at the following link: http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/FormsAndFees/Forms/AO085.pdf. You may withhold your consent without adverse substantive consequences. Do NOT return or file the consent unless all parties have signed the consent. (LJ) (Entered: 11/14/2022)

RECAP
4 Nov. 14, 2022

Summons Issued as to All Defendants. (LJ) (Entered: 11/14/2022)

RECAP
Nov. 14, 2022

Case Assigned to Judge Gary R. Brown and Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields. Please download and review the Individual Practices of the assigned Judges, located on our website. Attorneys are responsible for providing courtesy copies to judges where their Individual Practices require such. (LJ)

Nov. 14, 2022

Case Assigned/Reassigned

5 Nov. 17, 2022

Notice of Related Case: The Civil Cover Sheet filed in civil action 22cv7023(JMA)(LGD) indicates this is a related case. (LJ) (Entered: 11/17/2022)

RECAP
6 Nov. 21, 2022

ORDER: Initial Conference set for 3/20/2023 at 11:00 AM before Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields. The parties are directed to call the AT&TTeleconferencing Center at (877) 810-9415 and to enter Access Code9005911 when prompted. See order and attachment. Ordered by Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields on 11/21/2022. (Attachments: # 1 AYS Rules) (JT) (Entered: 11/21/2022)

RECAP
7 Nov. 26, 2022

AMENDED COMPLAINT against John/Jane Does #1-10, New York State Troopers John Roes #1-10, K. Sovaras, The County of Nassau, The Nassau County Police Department, filed by Tivia Leith. (Brewington, Frederick) (Entered: 11/26/2022)

RECAP
8 Dec. 14, 2022

Letter MOTION for Extension of Time to File response to the Amended Complaint by The County of Nassau, The Nassau County Police Department. (Ben-Sorek, Liora) (Entered: 12/14/2022)

RECAP
Dec. 14, 2022

ORDER granting 8 Motion for Extension of Time to File. The County Defendants' time to answer or otherwise respond to the Amended Complaint is EXTENDED to January 12, 2023. So Ordered by Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields on 12/14/2022. (DM)

Dec. 14, 2022

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File

9 Jan. 12, 2023

NOTICE of Appearance by Laurel R. Kretzing on behalf of K. Sovaras, The County of Nassau, The Nassau County Police Department (aty to be noticed) (Kretzing, Laurel) (Entered: 01/12/2023)

RECAP
10 Jan. 12, 2023

NOTICE of Appearance by Christopher E. Vatter on behalf of K. Sovaras, The County of Nassau, The Nassau County Police Department (aty to be noticed) (Vatter, Christopher) (Entered: 01/12/2023)

RECAP
11 Jan. 12, 2023

Letter MOTION for pre motion conference by K. Sovaras, The County of Nassau, The Nassau County Police Department. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A- Ticket 29NH, # 2 Exhibit B- Ticket 29D9) (Kretzing, Laurel) (Entered: 01/12/2023)

RECAP
Jan. 13, 2023

ORDER granting 11 Motion for Pre Motion Conference. A pre-motion telephone conference is scheduled for March 30, 2023 at 10:30 AM before Judge Gary R. Brown, at which time the parties should be prepared to address Defendants' anticipated motion pursuant to Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, DE 11. The parties are to call (888) 363-4734 using ACCESS CODE 4132441 five minutes prior to the designated time.The parties are on notice that in appropriate cases, the pre-motion letter and the response, along with the parties' arguments made at the pre-motion conference, may be construed at the discretion of the Court as the motion itself. Arguments not raised in the pre-motion letters or during the pre-motion conference shall be deemed waived. See In re Best Payphones, Inc., 450 F. App'x 8, 15 (2d Cir. 2011).At the conference, the Court will issue a briefing schedule if necessary. Plaintiffs are directed to respond to DE 11 in accordance with the undersigned's individual rules by January 30, 2023. Before requesting an adjournment, the parties shall meet and confer and submit a joint letter with several proposed dates. The parties and other attendees to the conference are also reminded that the recording of any proceeding of the Court, including this conference, is prohibited under Local Rule 1.8. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 1/13/2023. c/ecf (JT)

Jan. 13, 2023

Order on Motion for Pre Motion Conference

12 Jan. 30, 2023

Letter MOTION for Extension of Time to File Plaintiff's Opposition to Defendants' Pre-Motion Letter by Tivia Leith. (Brewington, Frederick) (Entered: 01/30/2023)

RECAP
13 Jan. 31, 2023

NOTICE of Appearance by Leah Elizabeth Jackson on behalf of Tivia Leith (aty to be noticed) (Jackson, Leah) (Entered: 01/31/2023)

RECAP
14 Jan. 31, 2023

NOTICE of Appearance by Cobia Malik Powell on behalf of Tivia Leith (aty to be noticed) (Powell, Cobia) (Entered: 01/31/2023)

RECAP
15 Jan. 31, 2023

NOTICE of Appearance by Albert Darnell Manuel, III on behalf of Tivia Leith (aty to be noticed) (Manuel, Albert) (Entered: 01/31/2023)

RECAP
Jan. 31, 2023

ORDER granting 12 Motion for Extension of Time to File. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 1/31/2023. c/ecf (JT)

Jan. 31, 2023

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File

16 Feb. 2, 2023

Letter Response In Opposition to County Defendants' Letter Motion for Pre Motion Conference by Tivia Leith. (Brewington, Frederick) Modified on 4/3/2023 (JC). (Entered: 02/02/2023)

RECAP
Feb. 2, 2023

Motions terminated, docketed incorrectly: 16 Letter MOTION for Leave to File Document In Opposition to County Defendants' Letter Motion for Pre Motion Conference filed by Tivia Leith. (Motion terminated as per GRB's Chamber approval. This entry should have been filed as a "Response in Opposition" and the Court will address the document as such. All corrections have been made). (JC)

17 Feb. 22, 2023

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Tivia Leith. New York State Troopers John Roes #1-10 served on 11/15/2022, answer due 12/6/2022. (Brewington, Frederick) (Entered: 02/22/2023)

RECAP
18 Feb. 22, 2023

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Tivia Leith. New York State Troopers John Roes #1-10 served on 11/28/2022, answer due 12/19/2022. (Brewington, Frederick) (Entered: 02/22/2023)

RECAP
19 March 15, 2023

Letter MOTION to Adjourn Conference submitted jointly with counsel for plaintiff by K. Sovaras, The County of Nassau, The Nassau County Police Department. (Kretzing, Laurel) (Entered: 03/15/2023)

RECAP
March 16, 2023

Order on Motion to Adjourn Conference

March 16, 2023

ORDER granting 19 Motion to Adjourn Conference. Upon counsels' request, the telephonic initial conference scheduled for March 20, 2023 is ADJOURNED to May 8, 2023 at 2:00 PM. Counsel are reminded that the joint initial letter and proposed discovery schedule must be filed on ECF by May 5, 2023. So Ordered by Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields on 3/16/2023. (DM)

20 March 30, 2023

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Gary R. Brown: Pre Motion Conference held on 3/30/2023. Counsel for all sides present. Pre-motion conference held. Motion argued. The Court deems the motion made. Other: For the reasons set forth on the record, motion granted in part. Plaintiff will have 3 weeks to file an amended complaint. SEE ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAILS. (FTR Log #10:38-11:14.) (JC) (Entered: 04/03/2023)

RECAP
April 3, 2023

Terminate Motions (filed in error)

21 April 21, 2023

AMENDED COMPLAINT against Kathleen Reid, Badge #6584, Aziz, Badge #171, filed by Tivia Leith. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet (Amended) Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Proposed Summons Amended Summons) (Brewington, Frederick) (Entered: 04/21/2023)

RECAP
22 April 24, 2023

Summons Issued as to Aziz, Badge #171, Kathleen Reid, Badge #6584, K. Sovaras, The County of Nassau, The Nassau County Police Department. (JC) (Entered: 04/24/2023)

RECAP
23 April 25, 2023

NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings held on March 30, 2023, before Judge Gary R. Brown. Transcriber Transcriptions Plus II, Inc., Telephone number 516-358-7352. Email address: rl.transcriptions2@gmail.com. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Redaction Request due 5/16/2023. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 5/26/2023. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 7/24/2023. (DC) (Entered: 04/25/2023)

RECAP
24 May 3, 2023

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Tivia Leith. Kathleen Reid, Badge #6584 served on 4/28/2023, answer due 5/19/2023; The Nassau County Police Department served on 4/28/2023, answer due 5/19/2023. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Service P.LO. Kathleen Reid) (Brewington, Frederick) (Entered: 05/03/2023)

RECAP
25 May 3, 2023

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Tivia Leith. Aziz, Badge #171 served on 4/24/2023, answer due 5/15/2023. (Brewington, Frederick) (Entered: 05/03/2023)

RECAP
26 May 5, 2023

Letter MOTION to Adjourn Conference Adjournment of Intial Conference Submitted Jointly With Counsel for Plaintiff by K. Sovaras, The County of Nassau, The Nassau County Police Department. (Kretzing, Laurel) (Entered: 05/05/2023)

RECAP
May 6, 2023

Order on Motion to Adjourn Conference

May 6, 2023

ORDER granting 26 Motion to Adjourn Conference. Upon counsels' joint request, the telephonic initial conference scheduled for May 8, 2023 is ADJOURNED to June 12, 2023 at 1:30 PM. Counsel are reminded that the joint initial letter as well as the joint proposed discovery schedule must be submitted via ECF by June 8, 2023. So Ordered by Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields on 5/6/2023. (DM)

27 May 12, 2023

First MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, by Aziz, Badge #171. (Pack, Lori) (Entered: 05/12/2023)

RECAP
28 May 12, 2023

Letter To Judge Advising of Briefing Schedule Regarding County Defendants' Motion to Dismiss by Kathleen Reid, Badge #6584, K. Sovaras, The County of Nassau (Kretzing, Laurel) (Entered: 05/12/2023)

RECAP
May 15, 2023

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

May 15, 2023

ORDER granting 27 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. Defendant Aziz, Badge #171 time to answer or otherwise repsond to the Complaint is EXTENDED to 6/15/2023. So Ordered by Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields on 5/15/2023. (DM)

May 24, 2023

Order(Other)

May 24, 2023

ORDER. The parties' briefing schedule found in DE 28 is so ordered. Further, the County Defendants may address the newly-asserted claims in their papers if necessary. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 5/24/2023. (MR)

29 May 25, 2023

First MOTION for pre motion conference re 7 Amended Complaint by Aziz, Badge #171. (Pack, Lori) (Entered: 05/25/2023)

RECAP
May 26, 2023

Order on Motion for Pre Motion Conference

May 26, 2023

ORDER granting 29 Motion for Pre Motion Conference. A pre-motion telephone conference is scheduled for August 29, 2023 at 10:30 AM before Judge Gary R. Brown, at which time the parties should be prepared to address Defendants' anticipated motion pursuant to Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, DE 29. The parties are to call (888) 363-4734 using ACCESS CODE 4132441 five minutes prior to the designated time.The parties are on notice that in appropriate cases, the pre-motion letter and the response, along with the parties' arguments made at the pre-motion conference, may be construed at the discretion of the Court as the motion itself. Arguments not raised in the pre-motion letters or during the pre-motion conference shall be deemed waived. See In re Best Payphones, Inc., 450 F. App'x 8, 15 (2d Cir. 2011). At the conference, the Court will issue a briefing schedule if necessary. Plaintiffs are directed to respond to DE 29 in accordance with the undersigned's individual rules by June 25, 2023. Before requesting an adjournment, the parties shall meet and confer and submit a joint letter with several proposed dates. The parties and other attendees to the conference are also reminded that the recording of any proceeding of the Court, including this conference, is prohibited under Local Rule 1.8. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 5/26/2023. (MR)

30 June 8, 2023

Scheduling Order

RECAP
31 June 8, 2023

Letter Joint Initial Letter by Plaintiffs and Defendants by Tivia Leith (Attachments: # 1 Appendix B- Proposed Scheduling Order) (Powell, Cobia) (Entered: 06/08/2023)

RECAP
June 8, 2023

SCHEDULING ORDER: Due to a change in the Court's schedule, the pre-motion conference scheduled for August 29, 2023 at 10:30 AM is adjourned to August 30, 2023 at 10:30 AM. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 6/8/2023. (GO) (Due to a statistical error behind the scenes, the order was deleted and re-docketed)

June 8, 2023

Incorrect Case/Document/Entry Information: Due to a statistical error behind the scenes, the 06/08/2023 SCHEDULING ORDER was deleted and re-docketed. There will be no DE#30 on the docket. (GO)

32 June 12, 2023

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields:Initial Conference Hearing held on 6/12/2023. A telephone status conference has been scheduled for April 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Counsel aredirected to call the AT&T Teleconference Center at (877) 810-9415 at the time of the conferenceand enter Access Code 9005911 when prompted.(FTR Log #1:41-1:49.) (JT) (Entered: 06/13/2023)

RECAP
June 12, 2023

Scheduling Order

June 12, 2023

SCHEDULING ORDER: As set forth on the record during the conference held on June 12, 2023 all paper discovery shall be exchanged by March 31, 2024. A telephone status conference has been scheduled for April 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Counsel are directed to call the AT&T Teleconference Center at (877) 810-9415 at the time of the conference and enter Access Code 9005911 when prompted. So Ordered by Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields on 6/12/2023. (DM)

33 June 16, 2023

Letter MOTION for Extension of Time to File in Opposition to Defendants' Pre-Motion Letter by Tivia Leith. (Powell, Cobia) (Entered: 06/16/2023)

RECAP
June 20, 2023

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File

June 20, 2023

ORDER granting 33 Motion for Extension of Time to File. On consent, plaintiffs' motion for an extension of time to file their responsive pre motion letter is GRANTED. Plaintiffs shall file their letter on or before July 17, 2023. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 6/20/2023. (MR)

June 21, 2023

Incorrect Case-Document Information

June 21, 2023

Scheduling Order

34 July 5, 2023

Letter

RECAP
35 July 26, 2023

Dismiss

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36 Aug. 28, 2023

Adjourn Conference

RECAP
37 Aug. 28, 2023

Response to Motion

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Aug. 29, 2023

Order on Motion to Adjourn Conference

38 Oct. 4, 2023

Pre Motion Conference

RECAP
39 Oct. 25, 2023

MEMORANDUM & ORDER granting 35 Motion to Dismiss: Based on the foregoing, defendants motion to dismiss the sixth cause of action must be GRANTED in its entirety. Plaintiffs have, at least implicitly, requested the right to replead. While such appl ications are granted liberally, they are routinely denied where repleading would be futile. In this case, the record reflects the filing of an initial complaint, two amended complaints and the previewing of supplemental allegations by plaintiff in response to the motion, none of which suffice to adequately plead the subject cause of action. Therefore, leave to replead is DENIED. SEE ATTACHED ORDER FOR FURTHER DETAILS. Ordered by Judge Gary R. Brown on 10/25/2023. (JC)

RECAP
40 Nov. 8, 2023

Answer to Amended Complaint

RECAP
41 Nov. 21, 2023

Answer to Amended Complaint

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42 Dec. 22, 2023

Notice of Appearance

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43 March 25, 2024

Leave to File Document

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March 26, 2024

Order on Motion for Leave to File

44 April 1, 2024

Extension of Time to Complete Discovery

RECAP
April 2, 2024

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery

45 April 29, 2024

Letter

RECAP
April 30, 2024

~Util - Add and Terminate Attorneys

46 Sept. 13, 2024

Extension of Time to Complete Discovery

RECAP
Sept. 16, 2024

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery

47 Nov. 12, 2024

Extension of Time to Complete Discovery

RECAP
Nov. 13, 2024

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery

48 March 26, 2025

Extension of Time to Complete Discovery

RECAP
March 27, 2025

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Complete Discovery

49 June 12, 2025

Leave to File Document

RECAP
50 June 12, 2025

Leave to File Document

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51 June 13, 2025

Pre Motion Conference

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52 June 13, 2025

Summary Judgment

RECAP
June 16, 2025

Order on Motion for Pre Motion Conference

53 July 2, 2025

Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

RECAP
54 July 3, 2025

Response in Opposition to Motion

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55 July 3, 2025

Rule 56.1 Statement

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56 July 3, 2025

Summary Judgment

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57 July 3, 2025

Summary Judgment

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58 July 3, 2025

Response in Opposition to Motion

RECAP
59 July 10, 2025

Rule 56.1 Statement

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60 July 10, 2025

Rule 56.1 Statement

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61 July 14, 2025

Response in Opposition to Motion

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July 14, 2025

Order(Other)

62 July 21, 2025

Pre Motion Conference

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Sept. 18, 2025

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

Case Details

State / Territory:

New York

Case Type(s):

Policing

Special Collection(s):

Traffic Stop Litigation

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 14, 2022

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A black woman who alleged she was stopped by Nassau police with her infant son, and detained for 11 hours with no charges ever being filed, and a putative class of similarly situated people subjected to allegedly racially discriminatory traffic stops by the NCPD.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Pending

Defendants

County

Nassau County Police Department

State

New York State Troopers

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

State Anti-Discrimination Law

State law

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Unreasonable search and seizure

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of New York 2:22-cv-06933

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Conditions of confinement

Pattern or Practice

Racial profiling

Search policies

Discrimination Area:

Disparate Impact

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Over/Unlawful Detention (facilities)

Policing:

False arrest

Restraints : physical (policing)

Strip search policy (policing)

Traffic Stops

Recommended Citation