Case: Roberts v. Thompson

6:24-cv-02024 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa

Filed Date: May 13, 2024

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a due process case related to jail fees. On May 13, 2024, the plaintiff, represented by the ACLU of Iowa, Public Justice, and private counsel, filed this putative class action lawsuit against the Black Hawk County Sheriff and Black Hawk County in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa. The plaintiff brought suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that the Black Hawk County Sheriff was collecting jail fees through an unconstitutional procedure. Specifically, the plaintif…

This is a due process case related to jail fees. On May 13, 2024, the plaintiff, represented by the ACLU of Iowa, Public Justice, and private counsel, filed this putative class action lawsuit against the Black Hawk County Sheriff and Black Hawk County in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa. The plaintiff brought suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that the Black Hawk County Sheriff was collecting jail fees through an unconstitutional procedure. Specifically, the plaintiff alleged that when people were released from the county jail, the sheriff got them to sign confessions of judgment in which they agreed to pay room and board and administrative fees. The plaintiff argued that the use of confessions of judgment allowed the sheriff to collect the fees without judicial oversight; state law, on the other hand, required the sheriff to collect jail fees via civil reimbursement claims, which would go before a judge. The plaintiff contended that this violated procedural due process and that the confessions of judgment were unlawful because people lacked the bargaining power to truly negotiate them with the sheriff. The plaintiff sought monetary damages, declaratory and injunctive relief, and attorneys' fees; she also sought to certify a class of people released from the county jail who had signed confessions of judgment.

On May 14, 2024, the case was assigned to Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts. The following month, on June 7, the plaintiff amended the complaint to add a second plaintiff. On July 12, 2024, the plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction.

On November 1, 2024, Judge Roberts granted the defendants' motion to dismiss due to lack of standing and failure to state a claim. With regard to lack of standing, Judge Roberts found that while the plaintiffs had demonstrated an injury-in-fact in the form of money paid, they had not shown that the sheriff caused this injury because they failed to establish that they would have paid any less money if a confession of judgment had not been used. Judge Roberts noted that the analysis might be different if the sheriff had actually brought an enforcement case against the plaintiffs, but there was no standing because the plaintiffs apparently voluntarily paid their fees. Further, the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring their claims about the sheriff's broader practices of fee collection because those claims were not specifically connected to the individual plaintiffs. With regard to failure to state a claim, Judge Roberts found that because the plaintiffs voluntarily paid the fees and did not claim that they did not owe the fees, they had not sufficiently alleged that the defendants deprived them of property without due process. Therefore, the court denied the motion for a preliminary injunction as moot and dismissed the case.

Later that month, on November 29, the plaintiffs moved for leave to file a second amended complaint. As of December 31, 2024, the court has not yet ruled on that motion.

Summary Authors

Ted Molina (12/31/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68526444/parties/roberts-v-thompson/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Aurora, Shefali (Iowa)

Austen, Rita Bettis (Iowa)

Bailey, Leslie Andrea (Iowa)

Currie, Michael Darrell (Iowa)

Frerichs, Thomas (Iowa)

Attorney for Defendant

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

6:24-cv-02024

Complaint (Jury Demanded)

May 13, 2024

May 13, 2024

Complaint
9

6:24-cv-02024

First Amended Complaint

June 3, 2024

June 3, 2024

Complaint
34

6:24-cv-02024

Order

Nov. 1, 2024

Nov. 1, 2024

Order/Opinion

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68526444/roberts-v-thompson/

Last updated Jan. 30, 2025, 4:31 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT With Jury Demand against Tony Thompson ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AIANDC-4162381.), filed by Leticia Roberts. Scheduling Report due by 8/12/2024 (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Appendix A to the Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Exhibit A to the Complaint, # 4 Exhibit B to the Complaint) (Whitaker, Kelcy) (Entered: 05/13/2024)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Appendix A to the Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

3 Exhibit A to the Complaint

View on PACER

4 Exhibit B to the Complaint

View on PACER

May 13, 2024

May 13, 2024

Clearinghouse

Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts added. No conflicts identified. (jag)

May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

PACER
2

NOTICE of Assignment to U.S. Magistrate Judge. Check Status Deadline due by 8/12/2024. (jag) (Entered: 05/14/2024)

May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

PACER
3

Summons Issued as to Black Hawk County, Iowa, Tony Thompson ****PLEASE MAKE COPIES OF SUMMONS FOR EACH DEFENDANT AND FILL IN REMAINING INFORMATION**** (Attachments: # 1 New Civil Case Packet) (jag) (Entered: 05/14/2024)

May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

PACER
4

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Attorney Leslie Bailey ( Pro Hac Vice Fee $ 100 receipt number AIANDC-4163421) by Plaintiff Leticia Roberts. (Bailey, Leslie) (Entered: 05/14/2024)

May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

PACER
5

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Attorney Charles Moore ( Pro Hac Vice Fee $ 100 receipt number AIANDC-4163494) by Plaintiff Leticia Roberts. (Moore, Charles) (Entered: 05/14/2024)

May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

PACER
6

TEXT ORDER granting 4 and 5 Motions to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Attorneys Leslie Bailey and Charles Moore on behalf of Leticia Roberts: Upon review of the Motions and the Certificates of Good Standing, the court finds the motions should be granted. Signed by Clerk on 5/14/2024. (jag) (Entered: 05/14/2024)

May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

PACER
7

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Tony Thompson, Black Hawk County, Iowa. All Defendants. (Richards, Michael) (Entered: 05/17/2024)

May 17, 2024

May 17, 2024

PACER
8

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael C Richards on behalf of Black Hawk County, Iowa, Tony Thompson. (Richards, Michael) (Entered: 05/17/2024)

May 17, 2024

May 17, 2024

PACER
9

AMENDED Complaint With Jury Demand First Amended Complaint against Black Hawk County, Iowa, Tony Thompson, filed by Leticia Roberts, Calvin Sayers. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B) (Whitaker, Kelcy) (Entered: 06/07/2024)

June 7, 2024

June 7, 2024

PACER
10

NOTICE of Appearance by Katherine E Gral on behalf of Black Hawk County, Iowa, Tony Thompson. (Gral, Katherine) (Entered: 06/21/2024)

June 21, 2024

June 21, 2024

PACER
11

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Oral Argument Requested) by Plaintiffs Leticia Roberts, Calvin Sayers. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A to Motion, # 2 Exhibit B to Motion, # 3 Exhibit C to Motion, # 4 Exhibit D to Motion, # 5 Exhibit E to Motion, # 6 Exhibit F to Motion, # 7 Exhibit G to Motion, # 8 Exhibit H to Motion, # 9 Exhibit I to Motion, # 10 Exhibit J to Motion, # 11 Exhibit K to Motion, # 12 Brief in Support of Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction, # 13 Declaration of Leticia Roberts, # 14 Declaration of Calvin Sayers, # 15 Declaration of Fernandes & Kirk-Werner, # 16 Exhibit A to Fernandes & Kirk-Werner Declaration, # 17 Exhibit B to Fernandes & Kirk-Werner Declaration, # 18 Declaration of Abigail Frerichs, # 19 Exhibit A to Frerichs Declaration, # 20 Declaration of Charles Moore, # 21 Exhibit A to Moore Declaration, # 22 Exhibit B to Moore Declaration, # 23 Exhibit C to Moore Declaration, # 24 Expert Report of Alexander Kornya, # 25 Exhibit A to Kornya Report, # 26 Text of Proposed Order Granting Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction) (Moore, Charles) (Entered: 07/12/2024)

July 12, 2024

July 12, 2024

PACER

Case Reassigned to Chief Judge CJ Williams and Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts. Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts no longer assigned as presider to the case. (KMS) (jag)

July 12, 2024

July 12, 2024

PACER
12

MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim by Defendants Black Hawk County, Iowa, Tony Thompson. Responses due by 7/30/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Brief, # 2 Affidavit of Michael Treinen re Leticia Roberts, # 3 Affidavit of Michael Treinen re Calvin Sayers) (Richards, Michael) (Entered: 07/16/2024)

July 16, 2024

July 16, 2024

PACER

DOCKET Annotation re 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction: Bound and tabbed hard copy received at CR clerk's office. (rjs)

July 19, 2024

July 19, 2024

PACER
13

JOINT MOTION for Preliminary Injunction And Stipulation and Joint Motion to Continue Deadlines to Respond to Defendants' Pre-Answer Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint by Plaintiffs Leticia Roberts, Calvin Sayers. (Moore, Charles) (Entered: 07/19/2024)

July 19, 2024

July 19, 2024

PACER
14

ORDER granting 13 Joint Motion to Continue Deadlines to Respond to Defendants Pre-Answer Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs First Amended Complaint, and Plaintiffs Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by Calvin Sayers, Leticia Roberts: Defendants' response to 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction due by 8/2/2024. Plaintiffs' reply due by 8/9/2024. Plaintiffs' response to 12 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim due by 8/13/2024. Defendants' reply due by 8/20/2024. Signed by Chief Judge CJ Williams on 7/22/2024. (pac) (Entered: 07/22/2024)

July 22, 2024

July 22, 2024

PACER
15

ORDER Setting Hearing on Motions 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction and 12 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim: Oral Argument set for 9/20/2024 01:00 PM in Ctrm 1 (2nd Floor) Cedar Rapids before Chief Judge CJ Williams. Signed by Chief Judge CJ Williams on 7/24/2024. (jag) (Entered: 07/24/2024)

July 24, 2024

July 24, 2024

PACER
16

RESISTANCE to Motion re 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by Black Hawk County, Iowa, Tony Thompson. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit) (Gral, Katherine) (Entered: 08/02/2024)

Aug. 2, 2024

Aug. 2, 2024

PACER
17

PROPOSED Scheduling Order and Discovery Plan by Plaintiffs Leticia Roberts, Calvin Sayers. (Whitaker, Kelcy) (Entered: 08/05/2024)

Aug. 5, 2024

Aug. 5, 2024

PACER
18

NOTICE of Appearance by Logan Kraus on behalf of Black Hawk County, Iowa, Tony Thompson. (Kraus, Logan) (Entered: 08/06/2024)

Aug. 6, 2024

Aug. 6, 2024

PACER
19

ORDER Setting Hearing: Scheduling Conference set for 9/4/2024 09:30 AM in Telephonic Hearing before Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts. Failure to appear for this scheduling conference could result in sanctions by the Court. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts on 8/6/2024. (jlh) (Entered: 08/06/2024)

Aug. 6, 2024

Aug. 6, 2024

PACER
20

REPLY BRIEF to re 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by Leticia Roberts, Calvin Sayers. (Moore, Charles) (Entered: 08/09/2024)

Aug. 9, 2024

Aug. 9, 2024

PACER
21

ORDER Resetting (TIME ONLY) Hearing on Motions 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction and 12 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim: Oral argument set for 9/20/2024 at 01:00 PM is reset to 9/20/2024 02:00 PM in Ctrm 1 (2nd Floor) Cedar Rapids before Chief Judge CJ Williams. Signed by Chief Judge CJ Williams on 8/12/2024. (jlh) (Entered: 08/12/2024)

Aug. 12, 2024

Aug. 12, 2024

PACER
22

RESISTANCE to 12 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim filed by Leticia Roberts, Calvin Sayers. (Moore, Charles) (Entered: 08/13/2024)

Aug. 13, 2024

Aug. 13, 2024

PACER
23

REPLY in Support of 12 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim filed by Black Hawk County, Iowa, Tony Thompson. (Richards, Michael) (Entered: 08/20/2024)

Aug. 20, 2024

Aug. 20, 2024

PACER
24

ORDER Setting Hearing: Telephonic Rule 16(b) and 26(f) Scheduling Conference set for 9/6/2024 at 9:30 AM before Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts on 8/21/2024. (mmc) (Entered: 08/21/2024)

Aug. 21, 2024

Aug. 21, 2024

PACER
25

MINUTE Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts: Rule 16(b) and 26(f) Scheduling Conference held on 9/6/2024. Order to follow. Official Court Record: FTR Gold. (klh) (Entered: 09/06/2024)

Sept. 6, 2024

Sept. 6, 2024

PACER
26

SCHEDULING Order and Discovery Plan: Initial Disclosures due date of 9/12/2024 but not filed with the court. Add Parties Deadline due by 11/29/2024. Amended Pleadings due by 11/29/2024. Plaintiffs' Expert Witness due by 12/13/2024. Defendants' Expert Witnesses due by 2/14/2025. Plaintiffs' Rebuttal Experts due by 3/14/2025. Discovery due by 5/16/2025. Motions due by 6/16/2025. Trial Ready Deadline 11/13/2025. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts on 9/6/2024. (klh) (Entered: 09/06/2024)

Sept. 6, 2024

Sept. 6, 2024

PACER
27

TRIAL Management Order: Witness and exhibit lists exchanged by parties (but not filed) at least 21 days before FPTC. Exhibits marked. Jury Instructions 3 days before FPTC. Motions in limine 21 days before FPTC. Proposed Pretrial Order due by 11/17/2025. Final Pretrial Conference set for 11/20/2025 03:00 PM in Telephonic Hearing before Chief Judge CJ Williams. Pretrial Conference set for 12/1/2025 08:30 AM in Ctrm 1 (2nd Floor) Cedar Rapids before Chief Judge CJ Williams. Jury Trial set for 12/1/2025 09:00 AM in Ctrm 1 (2nd Floor) Cedar Rapids before Chief Judge CJ Williams. Signed by Chief Judge CJ Williams on 9/9/2024. (klh) (Entered: 09/09/2024)

Sept. 9, 2024

Sept. 9, 2024

PACER
28

MINUTE Entry for proceedings held before Chief Judge CJ Williams: Motion Hearing held on 9/20/2024 re 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction and 12 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim. Court takes these matters under advisement. Order to follow. Official Court Record: Sarah Dittmer reportingwhereur@yahoo.com (jag) (Entered: 09/20/2024)

Sept. 20, 2024

Sept. 20, 2024

PACER
29

JOINT MOTION for Protective Order by Plaintiffs Leticia Roberts, Calvin Sayers. (Attachments: # 1 Stipulated Protective Order) (Moore, Charles) (Entered: 10/15/2024)

Oct. 15, 2024

Oct. 15, 2024

PACER
30

ORDER granting 29 Joint Motion for Protective Order. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts on 10/16/2024. (jlh) (Entered: 10/16/2024)

Oct. 16, 2024

Oct. 16, 2024

PACER
31

UNRESISTED MOTION for Extension of Time to File Motion for Class Certification by Plaintiffs Leticia Roberts, Calvin Sayers. (Moore, Charles) (Entered: 10/24/2024)

Oct. 24, 2024

Oct. 24, 2024

PACER
32

ORDER granting 31 Motion for Extension of Time to File Motion for Class Certification: The deadline for filing a motion for class certification is extended to 3/28/2025. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mark A Roberts on 10/25/2024. (pac) (Entered: 10/25/2024)

Oct. 25, 2024

Oct. 25, 2024

PACER
33

JOINT MOTION for Extension of Time for Scheduling Order Deadlines of plaintiffs experts, defendants experts, plaintiffs rebuttal experts, discovery, dispositive motion by Plaintiffs Leticia Roberts, Calvin Sayers. (Moore, Charles) (Entered: 11/01/2024)

Nov. 1, 2024

Nov. 1, 2024

PACER
34

ORDER granting 12 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim; denying 11 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Plaintiff's claims are dismissed and this case can be closed. Signed by Chief Judge CJ Williams on 11/1/2024. (mmc) (Entered: 11/01/2024)

Nov. 1, 2024

Nov. 1, 2024

Clearinghouse
35

JUDGMENT in favor of Black Hawk County, Iowa, Tony Thompson against Calvin Sayers, Leticia Roberts. Plaintiffs take nothing and this case is dismissed. Signed by Clerk on 11/1/2024. (mmc) (Entered: 11/01/2024)

Nov. 1, 2024

Nov. 1, 2024

PACER
36

NOTICE of Filing of Official Transcript of Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Motion to Dismiss proceedings held on 9/20/2024 before Chief Judge CJ Williams. Court Reporter: Sarah Dittmer, Email Address: reportingwhereur@yahoo.com. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased from the Court Reporter before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained from the Court Reporter, the Clerk of Court's office, or PACER. Please see Public Administrative Order No. 08-AO-0009-P in regard to relevant policy and access information on the court's website at www.iand.uscourts.gov. Redaction Request due 11/25/2024. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 12/5/2024. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 2/3/2025. (pac) (Entered: 11/04/2024)

Nov. 4, 2024

Nov. 4, 2024

PACER
37

MOTION for Leave to File Second Amended Complaint by Plaintiffs Leticia Roberts, Calvin Sayers. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Brief) (Moore, Charles) (Entered: 11/29/2024)

1 Exhibit A

View on PACER

2 Exhibit B

View on PACER

3 Brief

View on RECAP

Nov. 29, 2024

Nov. 29, 2024

PACER
38

RESISTANCE to 37 Motion for Leave to File filed by Tony Thompson, Black Hawk County, Iowa. (Richards, Michael) (Entered: 12/12/2024)

Dec. 12, 2024

Dec. 12, 2024

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory: Iowa

Case Type(s):

Criminal Justice (Other)

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 13, 2024

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

All individuals who have been released, or will be released, from the Black Hawk County (Iowa) Jail and have signed, or will sign, a confession of judgment for jail fees since May 14, 2022; and whose jail fees have been paid, are being paid, or will be paid under a confession of judgment absent a court order.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Public Justice

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Mooted before ruling

Defendants

Sheriff of Black Hawk County (Black Hawk), County

Black Hawk County (Black Hawk), State

Defendant Type(s):

Law-enforcement

Jurisdiction-wide

Corrections

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Due Process: Procedural Due Process

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues