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

Clearinghouse coding complete

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)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

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 1258

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 1340

Docket

Last updated March 24, 2025, 8:03 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Jan. 20, 1999

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

PACER
1 Jan. 20, 1999

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

PACER
Jan. 29, 1999

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

PACER
2 Feb. 2, 1999

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

PACER
3 Feb. 3, 1999

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

PACER
4 Feb. 22, 1999

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

PACER
5 Feb. 26, 1999

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)

PACER
6 March 10, 1999

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)

PACER
7 March 12, 1999

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

PACER
March 17, 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)

PACER
8 March 25, 1999

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

PACER
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)

PACER
9 April 16, 1999

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)

PACER
10 April 21, 1999

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

PACER
11 April 23, 1999

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)

PACER
12 April 23, 1999

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)

PACER
13 May 7, 1999

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)

PACER
14 May 11, 1999

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)

PACER
15 May 24, 1999

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)

PACER
16 May 25, 1999

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)

PACER
17 June 2, 1999

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)

PACER
18 June 22, 1999

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

PACER
19 Feb. 10, 2000

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

PACER
20 Feb. 16, 2000

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)

PACER
21 March 1, 2000

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

PACER
23 March 8, 2000

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)

PACER
24 March 8, 2000

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

PACER
25 March 20, 2000

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)

PACER
April 10, 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)

PACER
26 April 18, 2000

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)

PACER
27 April 19, 2000

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)

PACER
28 May 4, 2000

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)

PACER
29 May 24, 2000

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)

PACER
May 25, 2000

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

PACER
30 June 6, 2000

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

PACER
June 9, 2000

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

PACER
31 June 12, 2000

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

PACER
32 June 14, 2000

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

PACER
33 June 19, 2000

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)

PACER
34 July 5, 2000

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

PACER
35 July 5, 2000

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)

PACER
37 Aug. 11, 2000

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)

PACER
38 Sept. 7, 2000

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

PACER
39 Sept. 8, 2000

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)

PACER
Oct. 3, 2000

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

PACER
Oct. 3, 2000

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

PACER
40 June 25, 2001

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)

PACER
41 June 28, 2001

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)

PACER

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

County

Shelby County

Shelby County Jail

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Unreasonable search and seizure

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Alabama 2:99-cv-00110

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit 00-12827

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Relief Granted:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Strip search policy (facilities)

Recommended Citation