Case: Wilson v. Jones

2:99-cv-00110 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama

Filed Date: Jan. 20, 1999

Closed Date: 2001

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Case Summary

On January 20, 1999, an 18-year old woman arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. §1983 in U.S. District Court for the North District of Alabama challenging the strip search policy of the Shelby County Jail. That policy required that each inmate be strip searched by a same sex jail staff member before being placed in a cell or detention room. Plaintiff alleged that following her arrest and booking at the Jail, she was taken to a bathroom and orde…

On January 20, 1999, an 18-year old woman arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol filed a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. §1983 in U.S. District Court for the North District of Alabama challenging the strip search policy of the Shelby County Jail. That policy required that each inmate be strip searched by a same sex jail staff member before being placed in a cell or detention room.

Plaintiff alleged that following her arrest and booking at the Jail, she was taken to a bathroom and ordered to disrobe. While she was nude, a female deputy looked into her mouth, nose and ears; checked her breasts; and told her to squat, spread her buttocks apart and cough three times.

After discovery was conducted, defendants moved for summary judgment on all claims.

On May 4, 2000, the District Court (Magistrate Judge T Michael Putnam) denied defendants' motion, holding that the Jail's policy of strip searching all jail admittees, regardless of personal circumstances, violated the constitution. Judge Putnam also held that defendants were not entitled to qualified immunity. Wilson v. Shelby County, Ala., 95 F.Supp.2d 1258 (N.D.Ala. 2000). Defendants appealed.

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ( District Judge) reversed, holding that while the Jail's blank strip search policy of searching all inmates, without any reasonable suspicion, was unconstitutional, the defendant was entitled to qualified immunity. Wilson v. Jones, 251 F.3d 1340 (11th Cir. 2001).

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (8/8/2007)

People


Judge(s)

Barkett, Rosemary (Florida)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Cleveland, K. Lee (Alabama)

Attorney for Defendant

Dodson, John W (Alabama)

Ellis, Frank C. Jr. (Alabama)

Foley, Claire White (Alabama)

Judge(s)

Barkett, Rosemary (Florida)

Hill, James Clinkscales (Florida)

Kravitch, Phyllis A. (Georgia)

Putnam, T. Michael (Alabama)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:99-cv-00110

Docket (PACER)

Wilson v. Shelby County, et al

June 28, 2001

June 28, 2001

Docket
12

2:99-cv-00110

Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation

Wilson v. Shelby County

April 23, 1999

April 23, 1999

Order/Opinion
17

2:99-cv-00110

Order [Re: Summary Judgment]

Wilson v. Shelby County

June 2, 1999

June 2, 1999

Order/Opinion
28

2:99-cv-00110

Order Denying Summary Judgment

Wilson v. Shelby County

May 4, 2000

May 4, 2000

Order/Opinion

95 F.Supp.2d 95

2:99-cv-00110

00-12827

Opinion [Holding Strip Search Unconstitutional but Granting Qualified Immunity]

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

May 23, 2001

May 23, 2001

Order/Opinion

251 F.3d 251

Docket

Last updated March 21, 2024, 3:06 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT filed, amount paid $ 150.00, receipt # 200 134540 (Former Employee) (Entered: 01/21/1999)

Jan. 20, 1999

Jan. 20, 1999

1

REQUEST of plaintiff for service by certified mail filed w/i text of cmp (Former Employee) (Entered: 01/21/1999)

Jan. 20, 1999

Jan. 20, 1999

SUMMONS and complaint issued (Former Employee) (Entered: 01/29/1999)

Jan. 29, 1999

Jan. 29, 1999

2

SUMMONS and complaint returned executed: upon defendant Shelby County on 2/1/99 filed (Former Employee) (Entered: 02/02/1999)

Feb. 2, 1999

Feb. 2, 1999

3

SUMMONS and complaint returned executed: upon defendant James Jones on 2/2/99 filed (Former Employee) (Entered: 02/03/1999)

Feb. 3, 1999

Feb. 3, 1999

4

MOTION by dft Shelby County, dft James Jones to dismiss filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 02/23/1999)

Feb. 22, 1999

Feb. 22, 1999

5

ORDER (Submission) that the motion to dismiss [4-1] is submitted ; affidavits and briefs in opposition to be filed by 3/12/99 filed ( Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) motion docket 3/17/99 cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 02/26/1999)

Feb. 26, 1999

Feb. 26, 1999

6

ORDER reminding parties of obligations under Rule 26 Report of Parties Planning Meeting filed ( by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 03/10/1999)

March 10, 1999

March 10, 1999

7

RESPONSE by pla DeAngela Wilson motion to dismiss [4-1] filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 03/15/1999)

March 12, 1999

March 12, 1999

COURTROOM NOTES: in-court hrg held 3/17/99 on dfts' motion to dismiss [4-1] - ct's opening rmks - arguments - provisions of Rule 636(c) explained - consent to proceed before magistrate to be filed w/i 7 days if agreed - matter taken u/consideration - R&R or order to be entered - hrg adj Karla Johnson, CtRptr tape nbr 2A13 2890-4903 (SCL) (Entered: 03/17/1999)

March 17, 1999

March 17, 1999

8

CONSENT of all parties to trial by Magistrate-Judge, filed; to Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 03/29/1999)

March 25, 1999

March 25, 1999

CONSENT of all parties to trial by Magistrate-Judge, filed; to Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam (Former Employee) (Entered: 04/23/1999)

March 25, 1999

March 25, 1999

9

SUPPLEMENTAL SUBMISSION of discovery in support of motion to dismiss by dft Shelby County, dft James Jones filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 04/19/1999)

April 16, 1999

April 16, 1999

10

Report of Parties (form 35) of compliance with FRCP 26 filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 04/21/1999)

April 21, 1999

April 21, 1999

11

ORDER (Scheduling) ; Discovery cutoff 2/15/00; dispositive motions must be filed by 3/15/00, other dates as set out in this Order filed ( by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) cm (SRJ) (Entered: 04/23/1999)

April 23, 1999

April 23, 1999

12

Report and Recommendation recommends dfts motion to dismiss be DENIED as to pla fourth amendment/ strip search claim against Sheriff Jones in his individual capacity obj w/i 15 days filed ( by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) motion to dismiss cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 04/23/1999)

April 23, 1999

April 23, 1999

13

MOTION by defendant Shelby County, defendant James Jones to extend time of 15 days to respond to R&R filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 05/10/1999)

May 7, 1999

May 7, 1999

14

13 - ORDER granting motion to extend time of 15 days to respond to R&R [13-1] ( by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) entered cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 05/11/1999)

May 11, 1999

May 11, 1999

15

TRANSCRIPT of proceedings had before Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam on the following date(s): 3/17/99 (Re: ) filed Karla Johnson (Former Employee) (Entered: 05/24/1999)

May 24, 1999

May 24, 1999

16

OBJECTIONS by defendant James Jones to Report and Recommendation recommends dfts motion to dismiss be DENIED as to pla fourth amendment/ strip search claim against Sheriff Jones in his individual capacity report and recommendation filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 05/26/1999)

May 25, 1999

May 25, 1999

17

ORDER denying in part & granting in part motion to dismiss [4-1], denying in part & granting in part objection [16-1] filed ( by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 06/02/1999)

June 2, 1999

June 2, 1999

18

ANSWER by defendant James Jones w/appear by atty(s) K Claire White filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 06/23/1999)

June 22, 1999

June 22, 1999

19

MOTION by dft James Jones for summary judgment w/brief and exhibits attached filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 02/14/2000)

Feb. 10, 2000

Feb. 10, 2000

20

ORDER that any evidentiary material and brief in opposition to summary judgment by pla be filed by 3/1/00; reply brief filed by 3/8/00 filed (by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam) cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 02/16/2000)

Feb. 16, 2000

Feb. 16, 2000

21

MOTION by pla DeAngela Wilson to strike portions of the affidavit of Wayne E Watts filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 03/01/2000)

March 1, 2000

March 1, 2000

23

OPPOSITION by df James Jones to motion to strike portions of the affidavit of Wayne E Watts [21-1] filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 03/09/2000)

March 8, 2000

March 8, 2000

24

OPPOSITION by dft James Jones to strike portions of affidavit of David Parrish [23-1] filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 03/09/2000)

March 8, 2000

March 8, 2000

25

ORDER ; In-court hearing set for 10:00 4/10/00 in Courtroom 2-A filed ( by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) cm (MAA) (Entered: 03/20/2000)

March 20, 2000

March 20, 2000

COURTROOM NOTES: HEARING ON MOTIONS (TMP)-Court's preliminary remarks-Counsel's arguments-WRITTEN ORDER to be entered-(Teresa Roberson, Court Reporter) (RLD) (Entered: 04/10/2000)

April 10, 2000

April 10, 2000

26

MOTION by dft James Jones to extend time for filing witness & exhibit list to on or about 6/20/00 filed cs (DWC) (Entered: 04/19/2000)

April 18, 2000

April 18, 2000

27

26 - ORDER granting motion to extend time for filing witness & exhibit list to on or about 6/20/00 [26-1] ( by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) entered cm (DWC) (Entered: 04/19/2000)

April 19, 2000

April 19, 2000

28

ORDER denying motion for summary judgment [19-1] as set out in this order filed ( by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 05/04/2000)

May 4, 2000

May 4, 2000

29

NOTICE of appeal by dft James Jones from District Court decision [28-1] ; notice of appeal, order appealed from and court copy of docket entries w/transmittal letter mailed cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 05/26/2000)

May 24, 2000

May 24, 2000

APPEAL fee received in amount of $ 105 receipt # 200 151466 (Former Employee) (Entered: 06/27/2000)

May 25, 2000

May 25, 2000

30

Appeal Information Sheet (yellow sheet) filed [29-1] (Former Employee) Modified on 07/07/2000 (Entered: 06/06/2000)

June 6, 2000

June 6, 2000

NOTIFICATION by Circuit Court of Appellate docket number 00-12827E (Former Employee) (Entered: 06/09/2000)

June 9, 2000

June 9, 2000

31

Appeal Information Sheet (pink sheet) filed [30-1] (Former Employee) (Entered: 06/12/2000)

June 12, 2000

June 12, 2000

32

MOTION by dft James Jones to stay proceedings pending resolution of the appeal filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 06/15/2000)

June 14, 2000

June 14, 2000

33

32 - ORDER granting motion to stay pending completion of interlocutory appeal of denial of qualified immunity [32-1] ( by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) entered cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 06/19/2000)

June 19, 2000

June 19, 2000

34

Appeal Information Sheet (green sheet) filed [29-1] (Former Employee) (Entered: 07/07/2000)

July 5, 2000

July 5, 2000

35

TRANSCRIPT of proceedings had before Magistrate-Judge T M Putnam on 4/10/00 filed - Court Reporter Teresa Roberson (Former Employee) (Entered: 07/07/2000)

July 5, 2000

July 5, 2000

37

ORDER granting motion to supplement record on appeal [36-1] to include the reply brief in support of their motion for sumjgm and the deposition of Colonel David Parrish, which was attached to the reply brief as an exhibit (marked as "Received" by the court on 3/8/00) filed (by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 08/11/2000)

Aug. 11, 2000

Aug. 11, 2000

38

MOTION by pla DeAngela Wilson to supplement the record on appeal w/brief attached filed cs (Former Employee) (Entered: 09/08/2000)

Sept. 7, 2000

Sept. 7, 2000

39

38 - ORDER granting motion to supplement the record on appeal [38-1] w/attached exhibit ( by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) entered cm (SRJ) (Entered: 09/08/2000)

Sept. 8, 2000

Sept. 8, 2000

CERTIFICATE of readiness issued, cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 10/03/2000)

Oct. 3, 2000

Oct. 3, 2000

CERTIFIED record on appeal with certified copy of docket, entries and transmittal mailed USCA cm (Former Employee) (Entered: 10/03/2000)

Oct. 3, 2000

Oct. 3, 2000

40

CERTIFIED copy of Appellate Court Order: REVERSING decision of the District Court [Appeal [29-1] issued as mandate 06/21/01 before Circuit Judges BARKETT HILL & KRAVITCH w/certified slip opinion attached filed (SRJ) (Entered: 06/25/2001)

June 25, 2001

June 25, 2001

41

ORDER consistent w/mandate of US Court of Appeals (11th Cir) Order issued 06/21/01 [40-1] to DISMISS Case w/prej filed ( by Magistrate-Judge T M. Putnam ) cm (SRJ) (Entered: 06/28/2001)

June 28, 2001

June 28, 2001

Case Details

State / Territory: Alabama

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Special Collection(s):

Strip Search Cases

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 20, 1999

Closing Date: 2001

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

18 year old female arrested for DUI and strip-searched in a bathroom at the Shelby County Jail.

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Shelby County (Shelby), County

Shelby County Jail (Shelby), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Unreasonable search and seizure

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

General:

Strip search policy

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female

Type of Facility:

Government-run