Case: Miller v. Carson
3:74-cv-00382 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Filed Date: June 11, 1974
Closed Date: 1994
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
In 1974, plaintiffs filed a class action suit pro se against the Sheriff of Duval County and others challenging conditions at the jail. In 1975, the district court for the Middle District of Florida (Judge Charles R. Scott) enjoined defendants from continuing to violate plaintiffs' constitutional rights--under the First Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment, and Eighth Amendment--and awarded plaintiffs attorney's fees. Defendants moved for relief from the injunction, and the court modified the injunction with respect to compliance with fire codes, treatment of juveniles, outdoor recreation. Miller v. Carson, 392 F. Supp. 515 (M.D. Fla. 1975). A few months later, the district court held defendants in contempt and ordered defendants to show cause why the jail should not be closed. Defendants appealed. Miller v. Carson, 401 F. Supp. 835 (M.D. Fla. 1975).On appeal, the Fifth Circuit essentially affirmed the district court's judgment with a few minor modifications and remanded the issue of attorney's fees. Miller v. Carson, 563 F.2d 741 (5th Cir. 1977). On remand, the district court ordered defendants to pay plaintiffs' attorney's fees, and the Fifth Circuit affirmed. Miller v. Carson, 628 F.2d 346 (5th Cir. 1980). According to the PACER docket, the court vacated all consent orders and permanent injunctions in 1994 after determining that defendants had a constitutionally adequate system for housing members of plaintiffs' class and had purged themselves of any contempt.
Summary Authors
Lauren Cutson (5/25/2005)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/22059393/parties/miller-v-mcmillan/
Allen, William Lee (Florida)
Briggs, John L. (Florida)
Coalson, William L. (Florida)
Gearey, Raymond W. (Florida)
Austin, T. Edward Jr. (Florida)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/22059393/miller-v-mcmillan/
Last updated July 9, 2026, 5:24 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 11, 1974
Closing Date: 1994
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Inmates of the Jail in Duval County, Florida
Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown
Filed Pro Se: Yes
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
County
Duval County
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
Middle District of Florida 3:74-cv-00382
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit 75-02739
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit 79-03996
Middle District of Florida 3:74-cv-00328
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed
Relief Granted:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Order Duration: 1974 - 1994
Issues
General/Misc.:
Case Summary of Miller v. Carson, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/54/ (last updated 5/25/2005).