Case: J. v. City and County of San Francisco

3:23-cv-06524 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Filed Date: Dec. 19, 2023

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a class action lawsuit brought against the City and County of San Francisco for the police department’s unlawful arrest and mistreatment of over 100 children and young adults. On December 19, 2023, four teenagers filed suit on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated against the City and County of San Francisco and named defendants in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The youth and their families sued the City and County of San Francisco and …

This is a class action lawsuit brought against the City and County of San Francisco for the police department’s unlawful arrest and mistreatment of over 100 children and young adults. On December 19, 2023, four teenagers filed suit on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated against the City and County of San Francisco and named defendants in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The youth and their families sued the City and County of San Francisco and several named and unnamed police officers via 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging violation of their freedoms of assembly, expression, personal liberty, and movement, as well as their right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, under the United States and California Constitutions, as well as California state laws. Represented by attorneys from the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund and The Community Law Office, the young people sought damages, as well as injunctive and declaratory relief. The case was assigned to Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros. 

On July 8 2023, community members came together to watch participants skate down Dolores Street, in an annual informal gathering organized by high school students. The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) was aware of the event at least three weeks in advance but did not communicate with the community regarding any safety concerns. On the day of the event, SFPD set up barricades blocking off part of the hill, but allowed the event to continue without providing any indication that any activity was or would later be prohibited.

Later in the evening, the youth allege that the officers corralled them without instructions or opportunity to disperse, ultimately trapping them between police lines and detaining them without cause. Despite attempts to leave the area and explanations to the officers, including parents arriving to collect their children, the group was held for several hours without access to bathrooms, food, water, or warm clothing. The police provided inconsistent information to the parents and eventually processed the young people with citations for various offenses. The actions taken by law enforcement allegedly violated their own general orders and policies regarding crowd control and juvenile detention.

On February 1, 2024 the plaintiffs submitted an amended complaint. On Feb 22, 2024 the case R.P. v. City and County of San Francisco, involving the same skateboarding event, was assigned to Judge Cisneros as a related case. The case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Rabeya Mallick (3/19/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68101479/parties/j-v-city-and-county-of-san-francisco/


Judge(s)

Chhabria, Vince Girdhari (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Arcos, Gabriela M (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Berdux, Sabrina Michelle (California)

Fong, Oliver Joe (California)

Ikels, Zuzana S. (California)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

3:23-cv-06524

Class Action Complaint for Damages, Injunctive, and Declaratory Relief

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

Complaint
24

3:23-cv-06524

Corrected Amended Class Action Complaint for Damages, Injunctive, and Declaratory Relief

Feb. 1, 2024

Feb. 1, 2024

Complaint
39

3:23-cv-06524

Order

Feb. 22, 2024

Feb. 22, 2024

Order/Opinion

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68101479/j-v-city-and-county-of-san-francisco/

Last updated Aug. 8, 2025, 4:48 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405, receipt number ACANDC-18952594.). Filed by Carmen Lopez, Lucy Rios, Jolina Tawasha, Eriberto Jimenez. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(Lederman, Rachel) (Filed on 12/19/2023) (Entered: 12/19/2023)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

Clearinghouse
2

Proposed Summons. (Lederman, Rachel) (Filed on 12/19/2023) (Entered: 12/19/2023)

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

PACER
3

MOTION to Appoint Guardian Ad Litem ad Litem filed by Lucy Rios. (Lederman, Rachel) (Filed on 12/19/2023) (Entered: 12/19/2023)

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

PACER
4

MOTION to Appoint Guardian ad Litem filed by Jolina Tawasha. (Lederman, Rachel) (Filed on 12/19/2023) (Entered: 12/19/2023)

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

PACER
5

MOTION to Appoint Guardian ad Litem filed by Carmen Lopez. (Lederman, Rachel) (Filed on 12/19/2023) (Entered: 12/19/2023)

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

PACER
6

MOTION to Appoint Guardian ad Litem filed by Eriberto Jimenez. (Lederman, Rachel) (Filed on 12/19/2023) (Entered: 12/19/2023)

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

PACER
8

MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-18954383.) filed by Eriberto Jimenez, Carmen Lopez, Lucy Rios, Jolina Tawasha. (Verheyden-Hilliard, Mara) (Filed on 12/19/2023) (Entered: 12/19/2023)

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

PACER
9

Order by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 8 Motion for Pro Hac Vice for Mara Verheyden-Hilliard.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/19/2023)

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

RECAP

~Util - Case Assigned by Intake

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

PACER
7

Case assigned to Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros. Counsel for plaintiff or the removing party is responsible for serving the Complaint or Notice of Removal, Summons and the assigned judge's standing orders and all other new case documents upon the opposing parties. For information, visit E-Filing A New Civil Case at http://cand.uscourts.gov/ecf/caseopening.Standing orders can be downloaded from the court's web page at www.cand.uscourts.gov/judges. Upon receipt, the summons will be issued and returned electronically. A scheduling order will be sent by Notice of Electronic Filing (NEF) within two business days. Consent/Declination due by 1/2/2024. (bw, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 12/19/2023) (Entered: 12/19/2023)

Dec. 19, 2023

Dec. 19, 2023

PACER
10

Initial Case Management Scheduling Order with ADR Deadlines

Dec. 20, 2023

Dec. 20, 2023

PACER

Electronic Filing Error

Dec. 20, 2023

Dec. 20, 2023

PACER
12

Notice of Appearance

Jan. 3, 2024

Jan. 3, 2024

PACER
13

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal

Jan. 3, 2024

Jan. 3, 2024

PACER
14

Amended Complaint

Jan. 3, 2024

Jan. 3, 2024

PACER
15

Consent/Declination to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge

Jan. 3, 2024

Jan. 3, 2024

PACER
16

Proposed Summons

Jan. 3, 2024

Jan. 3, 2024

PACER

Clerk's Notice re: Consent or Declination

Jan. 3, 2024

Jan. 3, 2024

PACER
17

Notice of Appearance

Jan. 4, 2024

Jan. 4, 2024

PACER
18

Summons Issued

Jan. 5, 2024

Jan. 5, 2024

PACER
19

Stipulation without Proposed Order

Jan. 31, 2024

Jan. 31, 2024

PACER
20

Consent/Declination to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge

Jan. 31, 2024

Jan. 31, 2024

PACER

Order

Jan. 31, 2024

Jan. 31, 2024

PACER

Order AND ~Util - Set Deadlines

Jan. 31, 2024

Jan. 31, 2024

PACER
24

Amended Complaint

Feb. 1, 2024

Feb. 1, 2024

Clearinghouse
25

Consent/Declination to Proceed Before a US Magistrate Judge

Feb. 1, 2024

Feb. 1, 2024

PACER

Order

Feb. 1, 2024

Feb. 1, 2024

PACER
26

Pro Hac Vice

Feb. 2, 2024

Feb. 2, 2024

PACER
27

Appoint Guardian/Attorney ad Litem

Feb. 2, 2024

Feb. 2, 2024

PACER
28

Appoint Guardian/Attorney ad Litem

Feb. 2, 2024

Feb. 2, 2024

PACER
29

Appoint Guardian/Attorney ad Litem

Feb. 2, 2024

Feb. 2, 2024

PACER
30

Order by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 26 Motion for Pro Hac Vice for Mara Verheyden-Hilliard.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/5/2024)

Feb. 5, 2024

Feb. 5, 2024

RECAP
32

Appoint Guardian/Attorney ad Litem

Feb. 5, 2024

Feb. 5, 2024

PACER
33

Order by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 27 Motion to Appoint Guardian ad Litem for minor C.L.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/5/2024)

Feb. 5, 2024

Feb. 5, 2024

RECAP
34

Order by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 28 Motion to Appoint Guardian ad Litem for minor L.R.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/5/2024)

Feb. 5, 2024

Feb. 5, 2024

RECAP
35

Order by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 29 Motion to Appoint Guardian ad Litem for minor J.T.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/5/2024)

Feb. 5, 2024

Feb. 5, 2024

RECAP
36

REDACTED ORDER SETTING INITIAL CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE AND ADR DEADLINES. Case Management Statement due by 3/14/2024. Initial Case Management Conference set for 3/21/2024 at 01:30 PM in San Francisco, - Videoconference Only. This proceeding w ill be held via a Zoom webinar.Webinar Access: All counsel, members of the public, and media may access the webinar information at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/lisa- j-cisneros/General Order 58. Persons granted access to court proceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited.Zoom Guidance and Setup: https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/zoom/. (bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/5/2024)

Feb. 5, 2024

Feb. 5, 2024

RECAP

Order

Feb. 5, 2024

Feb. 5, 2024

PACER
37

Order by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 32 Motion to Appoint Guardian ad Litem for minor E.J.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/6/2024)

Feb. 6, 2024

Feb. 6, 2024

Clearinghouse
38

Administrative Motion per Civil Local Rule 7-11

Feb. 16, 2024

Feb. 16, 2024

PACER
39

RELATED CASE ORDER by Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 38 Administrative Motion to Consider Whether Cases Should Be Related. (bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 2/22/2024)

Feb. 22, 2024

Feb. 22, 2024

Clearinghouse
40

ADR Certification (ADR L.R. 3-5 b) of discussion of ADR options

Feb. 27, 2024

Feb. 27, 2024

PACER
41

ADR Certification (ADR L.R. 3-5 b) of discussion of ADR options

Feb. 29, 2024

Feb. 29, 2024

PACER
42

Dismiss

Feb. 29, 2024

Feb. 29, 2024

PACER
43

Request for Judicial Notice

Feb. 29, 2024

Feb. 29, 2024

PACER
44

Strike

Feb. 29, 2024

Feb. 29, 2024

PACER

Order AND ~Util - Set Deadlines/Hearings

March 1, 2024

March 1, 2024

PACER
46

Response ( Non Motion )

March 8, 2024

March 8, 2024

PACER
47

SCHEDULING ORDER Regarding Pending and Anticipated Motions. This order also addresses case management conferences and statement deadlines. Signed by Judge Lisa J. Cisneros on March 14, 2024. (ljclc2, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/14/2024) (Entered: 03/14/2024)

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

RECAP

Set Deadlines/Hearings

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

PACER

Set Deadlines/Hearings per 47 Scheduling Order: First opposition due 3/22/2024. Replies due 4/15/2024. Case Management Statement due by 4/23/2024. Initial Case Management Conference set for 4/30/2024 at 10:30 AM in San Francisco, Courtroom G, 15th Floor. Motion Hearing set for 4/30/2024 at 10:30 AM in San Francisco, Courtroom G, 15th Floor before Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros. (ljclc2, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/14/2024).

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

PACER

Set Deadlines/Hearings per 47 Scheduling Order: Second opposition due 3/29/2024. (ljclc2, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 3/14/2024)

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

PACER
48

OPPOSITION/RESPONSE (re 44 MOTION to Strike 24 Amended Complaint ) filed byC. L., L. R., J. T.. (Lederman, Rachel) (Filed on 3/22/2024) (Entered: 03/22/2024)

March 22, 2024

March 22, 2024

PACER
49

OPPOSITION/RESPONSE (re 42 MOTION to Dismiss First Amended Complaint ) Opposition to Request for Judicial Notice filed byC. L., L. R., J. T.. (Lederman, Rachel) (Filed on 3/29/2024) (Entered: 03/29/2024)

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

PACER
50

OPPOSITION/RESPONSE (re 42 MOTION to Dismiss First Amended Complaint ) filed byC. L., L. R., J. T.. (Lederman, Rachel) (Filed on 3/29/2024) (Entered: 03/29/2024)

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

PACER
51

REPLY (re 44 MOTION to Strike 24 Amended Complaint ) filed byCITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, Thomas Harvey, William Scott, Matt Sullivan. (Ikels, Zuzana) (Filed on 4/2/2024) (Entered: 04/02/2024)

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

PACER
52

REPLY (re 42 MOTION to Dismiss First Amended Complaint ) Consolidated Reply to Oppositions by L. Plaintiffs and R.P filed byCITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, Thomas Harvey, William Scott, Matt Sullivan. (Ikels, Zuzana) (Filed on 4/15/2024) (Entered: 04/15/2024)

April 15, 2024

April 15, 2024

PACER
53

JOINT CASE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT filed by C. L., L. R., J. T.. (Lederman, Rachel) (Filed on 4/22/2024) (Entered: 04/22/2024)

April 22, 2024

April 22, 2024

PACER
54

Case Management Conference - Initial AND Motion Hearing AND ~Util - Case Referred to Magistrate-Judge for Settlement Conference

May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

PACER
55

Transcript Order

May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

PACER
56

ORDER REGARDING DISCOVERY ISSUES AND SERVICE OF DOE DEFENDANTS. Signed by Judge Lisa J. Cisneros on 5/2/2024. (bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 5/2/2024)

May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

RECAP

Clerk's Notice

May 3, 2024

May 3, 2024

PACER
58

Discovery Letter Brief

May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024

PACER
59

Discovery Letter Brief

May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024

PACER
60

Notice (Other)

May 13, 2024

May 13, 2024

PACER
61

Reply to Opposition/Response

May 13, 2024

May 13, 2024

PACER
62

Reply to Opposition/Response

May 15, 2024

May 15, 2024

PACER

Order

May 15, 2024

May 15, 2024

PACER
64

Order Setting Settlement Conference

May 23, 2024

May 23, 2024

PACER

1 - Terminate Hearings

May 23, 2024

May 23, 2024

PACER
65

Transcript

June 1, 2024

June 1, 2024

PACER
66

ORDER REGARDING 42 MOTION TO DISMISS by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros. Second Amended Complaint due by 7/5/2024.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 6/13/2024)

June 13, 2024

June 13, 2024

RECAP
67

ORDER REGARDING 24 MOTION TO STRIKE CLASS ALLEGATIONS by Judge Lisa J. Cisneros. (bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 6/13/2024)

June 13, 2024

June 13, 2024

RECAP
68

Discovery Letter Brief

June 17, 2024

June 17, 2024

PACER
69

Order

June 21, 2024

June 21, 2024

PACER
70

Stipulation and Proposed Order

June 24, 2024

June 24, 2024

PACER
71

STIPULATED PROTECTIVE ORDER by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros (bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 6/26/2024)

June 26, 2024

June 26, 2024

RECAP

Order

June 26, 2024

June 26, 2024

PACER
73

Answer to Amended Complaint

July 19, 2024

July 19, 2024

PACER
74

Discovery Letter Brief

July 22, 2024

July 22, 2024

PACER
75

Discovery Letter Brief

July 24, 2024

July 24, 2024

PACER

Order

July 25, 2024

July 25, 2024

PACER
77

Discovery Letter Brief

Aug. 2, 2024

Aug. 2, 2024

PACER
78

Exhibits

Aug. 8, 2024

Aug. 8, 2024

PACER
79

ORDER by Judge Lisa J. Cisneros resolving 58 59 74 Discovery Letter Briefs in case 3:23-cv-06524-LJC. Stipulation or joint statement regarding juvenile records due August 21, 2024. (ljclc2, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/14/2024).

Aug. 14, 2024

Aug. 14, 2024

RECAP

Status Report Order

Aug. 23, 2024

Aug. 23, 2024

PACER
81

Status Report

Aug. 26, 2024

Aug. 26, 2024

PACER

Order

Aug. 26, 2024

Aug. 26, 2024

PACER

Clerk's Notice AND ~Util - Teleconference Zoom

Aug. 26, 2024

Aug. 26, 2024

PACER
84

Stipulation and Proposed Order

Aug. 30, 2024

Aug. 30, 2024

PACER
85

Order by Magistrate Judge Lisa J. Cisneros granting 84 Stipulation re Plaintiffs' Juvenile Records.(bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 8/30/2024)

Aug. 30, 2024

Aug. 30, 2024

RECAP
87

Joint Case Management Statement

Sept. 25, 2024

Sept. 25, 2024

PACER
88

Exhibits

Sept. 25, 2024

Sept. 25, 2024

PACER

Order

Sept. 25, 2024

Sept. 25, 2024

PACER
89

ORDER RESOLVING DISCOVERY LETTER BRIEFS REGARDING SUBPOENAS re Docket Nos. 75 , 77 . Signed by Judge Lisa J. Cisneros on 10/1/2024. (bns, COURT STAFF) (Filed on 10/1/2024)

Oct. 1, 2024

Oct. 1, 2024

RECAP
90

Case Management Conference - Further AND ~Util - Set Deadlines

Oct. 4, 2024

Oct. 4, 2024

PACER
91

Case Management Scheduling Order AND ~Util - Set Deadlines/Hearings

Oct. 4, 2024

Oct. 4, 2024

PACER

Order

Oct. 7, 2024

Oct. 7, 2024

PACER
93

Complaint

Oct. 8, 2024

Oct. 8, 2024

PACER
94

Status Report

Oct. 15, 2024

Oct. 15, 2024

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Policing

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 19, 2023

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Four teenagers on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, which includes other minors and adults arrested and detained at a skateboarding event

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Pending

Defendants

City and County of San Francisco (San Francisco, San Francisco), County

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Unreasonable search and seizure

Freedom of speech/association

Equal Protection

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Aggressive behavior

Failure to discipline

Failure to supervise

Failure to train

Juveniles

Parents (visitation, involvement)

Personal injury

Racial profiling

Search policies

Discrimination Area:

Disparate Treatment

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

Affected Race(s):

Race, unspecified

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Over/Unlawful Detention (facilities)

Policing:

False arrest

Recreation / Exercise (policing)

Restraints : physical (policing)