Case: Flora v. Luzerne County

3:12-cv-00665 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Filed Date: April 10, 2012

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On April 10, 2012, the Public Defender of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Luzerne County. Represented by the ACLU of Pennsylvania, the plaintiff alleged that his termination was threatened because of complaints he had made against the county about the lack of funding for the public defender's office, lack of attorneys for the public defender's office, and inability to adequate…

On April 10, 2012, the Public Defender of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Luzerne County. Represented by the ACLU of Pennsylvania, the plaintiff alleged that his termination was threatened because of complaints he had made against the county about the lack of funding for the public defender's office, lack of attorneys for the public defender's office, and inability to adequately represent clients. The plaintiff alleged that the threatened termination would violate his 1st and 14th Amendment rights and he sought injunctive relief. The plaintiff also requested a temporary restraining order to prevent his removal from the position of Chief Public Defender for Luzerne County, preliminary and permanent injunctions, and attorneys' fees.

The same day, the plaintiff in this case, along with citizens who were unable to obtain a public defender based on lack of availability, filed a class action in state court under the Civil Rights Act, §1983, and Article I, § 9 of the Pennsylvania Constitution. The class action sought to compel the County to increase resources for the Public Defender. Plaintiffs requested an order requiring Defendants to promptly appoint private or conflict counsel when the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) declines representation of any adult defendant due to excessive workloads or lack of resources. The plaintiffs also sought a writ of mandamus compelling the defendants to lift the hiring freeze; an order allowing the plaintiff Public Defender to continue with his work until the OPD had adequate resources to represent all indigent adult criminal defendants prosecuted in Luzerne County; a peremptory judgment compelling defendants to provide necessary funding so that the OPD is capable of providing representation to all qualified indigent defendants prosecuted in Luzerne County that satisfy the standards set by the U.S. and Pennsylvania Constitutions; and attorneys' fees and costs.

In the federal court case, the plaintiff moved for a preliminary injunction. On April 19, 2012, the parties entered a stipulation requesting withdrawal of the plaintiff's request for preliminary injunction. The judge approved the request to withdraw that same day. The terms of the withdrawal stipulated that the plaintiff shall remain in his official capacity as public defender, that he will not be subject to any adverse employment action in retaliation for protected First Amendment activity, and that his job was not in imminent danger. The case was dismissed on March 11, 2013.

The class action was assigned to Judge Joseph Augello. On June 15, 2012, Judge Augello ordered the county to lift the hiring freeze, immediately provide confidential meeting space for OPD clients and lawyers, provide counsel for people turned away from the OPD either by hiring private counsel or by expanding OPD, and not to turn away any more indigent clients. Judge Aurello also ordered the parties to meet and create a plan to fix the problems with OPD. The parties attended mediation for months but could not agree to a solution. The county replaced the Chief Public Defender in April 2013 and asked the court to dismiss the class action, arguing that only the chief public defender could sue the county over the condition of the OPD. Judge Augello agreed with the county and dismissed the case on October 22, 2013.

The plaintiffs for the class action appealed to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, arguing that the clients of the OPD were entitled to bring suit to protect their rights. On October 14, 2014, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court affirmed the ruling. As part of its opinion, the Court noted that mandamus was not an available form of relief because the Appellants had not demonstrated a clear right to relief.

The plaintiffs next appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which changed the name to Kuren v. Luzerne to reflect the that Flora was no longer a party to the suit. Because of the importance of the case, the U.S. Department of Justice as well as numerous national legal organizations, including the American Bar Association and the Innocence Project, filed friend-of-the-court briefs in support of the plaintiffs.

In a landmark opinion issued on September 28, 2016, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court noted that Gideon v. Wainwright extends the Sixth Amendment right to counsel to state courts, and also noted that Sixth Amendment violations need not await conviction and sentencing. As such, the Court ruled that public defender clients have the right to sue counties to force them to provide adequate funding to their public defender offices, as long as they demonstrate “the likelihood of substantial and immediate irreparable injury, and the inadequacy of remedies at law.” Here, the Court found that the plaintiffs met that standard by demonstrating the possible risk of injury due to Luzerne County’s alleged failure to provide adequate funding.

With respect to the mandamus, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s decision, ruling that the writ of mandamus was not an available remedy in this case. The Court stated that mandamus is employed to compel the performance of a ministerial duty, or to compel action in matters involving judgment and discretion. It is not used to direct the exercise of judgment or discretion in a particular way, as the Appellants sought here by requesting that the hiring freeze be lifted.

The case was remanded for proceedings consistent with the opinion. The docket for the trial court's proceedings could not be found. The case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Frances Hollander (4/7/2015)

Justin Hill (1/11/2020)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12979873/parties/flora-v-luzerne-county/


Judge(s)

Caputo, A. Richard (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Borland, Kimberley D. (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Defendant

Carmody, Matthew John (Pennsylvania)

Dean, John G (Pennsylvania)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Brown, Paulette (New Jersey)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:12-cv-00665

Docket

March 11, 2013

March 11, 2013

Docket
3

3:12-cv-00665

Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction

April 10, 2012

April 10, 2012

Pleading / Motion / Brief

2012-04517

Class Action Complaint

Pennsylvania state trial court

April 10, 2012

April 10, 2012

Complaint
1

3:12-cv-00665

Verified Complaint

April 10, 2012

April 10, 2012

Complaint
14

3:12-cv-00665

Order approving re 11 Stipulation re; Motion for Preliminary Injunction

April 19, 2012

April 19, 2012

Order/Opinion
26

3:12-cv-00665

Stipulated Order of Dismissal

March 5, 2013

March 5, 2013

Order/Opinion

951 MAL 2014

952 MAL 2014

Opinion

Pennsylvania state trial court

Dec. 2, 2014

Dec. 2, 2014

Order/Opinion

103 A.3d 103

951 MAL 2014

952 MAL 2014

Order

Pennsylvania state supreme court

June 30, 2015

June 30, 2015

Order/Opinion

118 A.3d 118

57 MAP 2015

58 MAP 2015

Brief Amicus Curiae of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Support of Appellants

Kuren v. Luzerne County

Pennsylvania state supreme court

Sept. 10, 2015

Sept. 10, 2015

Pleading / Motion / Brief

57 MAP 2015

58 MAP 2015

Brief for Appellants

Kuren v. Luzerne County

Pennsylvania state supreme court

Sept. 10, 2015

Sept. 10, 2015

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12979873/flora-v-luzerne-county/

Last updated Feb. 6, 2024, 3:05 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Robert C. Lawton, Luzerne County ( Filing fee $350, Receipt Number 2447820), filed by Al Flora, Jr. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits TOC, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit E, # 7 Exhibit F, # 8 Civil Cover Sheet)(ep, ) (Entered: 04/10/2012)

April 10, 2012

April 10, 2012

Clearinghouse
2

Summons Issued as to Robert C. Lawton, Luzerne County and provided to Atty. Walczak for service on Defendant(s). (ep, ) (ep, ). (Entered: 04/10/2012)

April 10, 2012

April 10, 2012

PACER
3

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Al Flora, Jr. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Roper, Mary) (Entered: 04/10/2012)

April 10, 2012

April 10, 2012

Clearinghouse
4

BRIEF IN SUPPORT re 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Al Flora, Jr.(Roper, Mary) (Entered: 04/10/2012)

April 10, 2012

April 10, 2012

PACER

SPECIAL ADMISSION AND ECF REGISTRATION FORMS SENT to Hilary Emerson. (pjr)

April 11, 2012

April 11, 2012

PACER
5

Set/Reset Deadlines as to 3 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction., ORDER Motion Hearing set for 4/20/2012 09:30 AM in Wilkes-Barre - Courtroom 3 before Honorable A. Richard Caputo.Signed by Honorable A. Richard Caputo on 04/12/12. (ep, ) (Entered: 04/12/2012)

April 12, 2012

April 12, 2012

PACER
6

AMENDED SCHEDULING ORDER: Prel/Perm Injunction Hearing set for 4/20/2012 09:30 AM in Wilkes-Barre - Courtroom 3 before Honorable A. Richard Caputo. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff shall serve Defendants with a copy of this Order forthwith.Signed by Honorable A. Richard Caputo on 4/13/12. (jam, ) (Entered: 04/13/2012)

April 13, 2012

April 13, 2012

PACER
7

NOTICE of Appearance by John G. Dean on behalf of Robert C. Lawton, Luzerne County. (Dean, John) (Entered: 04/16/2012)

April 16, 2012

April 16, 2012

PACER
8

NOTICE of Appearance by Deborah H. Simon on behalf of Robert C. Lawton, Luzerne County. (Simon, Deborah) (Entered: 04/16/2012)

April 16, 2012

April 16, 2012

PACER
9

NOTICE of Appearance by Joel M Wolff on behalf of Robert C. Lawton, Luzerne County. (Wolff, Joel) (Entered: 04/16/2012)

April 16, 2012

April 16, 2012

PACER
10

NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew John Carmody on behalf of Robert C. Lawton, Luzerne County. (Carmody, Matthew) (Entered: 04/16/2012)

April 16, 2012

April 16, 2012

PACER
11

STIPULATION RE: Motion for Preliminary Injunction. (Roper, Mary) Modified on 4/19/2012 (jam, ). (Entered: 04/19/2012)

April 19, 2012

April 19, 2012

PACER
13

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, to Plaintiff's Complaint by Robert C. Lawton, Luzerne County. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Certificate of Concurrence)(Dean, John) (Entered: 04/19/2012)

April 19, 2012

April 19, 2012

PACER
14

Order approving re 11 Stipulation re; Motion for Preliminary Injunction.Signed by Honorable A. Richard Caputo on 4/19/12. (jam, ) (Entered: 04/19/2012)

April 19, 2012

April 19, 2012

Clearinghouse
15

ORDER granting 13 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer Robert C. Lawton answer due 7/2/2012; Luzerne County answer due 7/2/2012. Signed by Honorable A. Richard Caputo on 4/20/12 (jam, ) (Entered: 04/20/2012)

April 20, 2012

April 20, 2012

PACER
16

Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, by Robert C. Lawton, Luzerne County. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Concurrence, # 2 Proposed Order)(Dean, John) (Entered: 07/05/2012)

July 5, 2012

July 5, 2012

PACER
17

ORDER granting 16 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer Robert C. Lawton answer due 8/31/2012; Luzerne County answer due 8/31/2012. Signed by Honorable A. Richard Caputo on 7/6/12 (jam, ) (Entered: 07/06/2012)

July 6, 2012

July 6, 2012

PACER
18

Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer re 1 Complaint, by Robert C. Lawton, Luzerne County. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order, # 2 Certificate of Concurrence, # 3 Exhibit(s) State Court Orders, # 4 Certificate of Service)(Simon, Deborah) (Entered: 09/07/2012)

Sept. 7, 2012

Sept. 7, 2012

PACER
19

ORDER granting 18 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. Defendants' response to the complaint due 11/15/12. Signed by Honorable A. Richard Caputo on 9/10/12 (jam, ) (Entered: 09/10/2012)

Sept. 10, 2012

Sept. 10, 2012

PACER

VERBAL ORDER - Case Reassigned to Honorable Malachy E Mannion. Honorable A. Richard Caputo no longer assigned to the case.Signed by Honorable A. Richard Caputo on 1/4/2013. (cw)

Jan. 4, 2013

Jan. 4, 2013

PACER
20

SCHEDULING ORDER: Case Management Conference set for 2/20/2013 03:00 PM in Scranton before Honorable Malachy E Mannion.Signed by Honorable Malachy E Mannion on 1/25/13. (bs) (Entered: 01/25/2013)

Jan. 25, 2013

Jan. 25, 2013

PACER
21

Letter from Plaintiff's Counsel Seeking to Continue Case Management Conference. (Roper, Mary) (Entered: 02/15/2013)

Feb. 15, 2013

Feb. 15, 2013

PACER
22

SCHEDULING ORDER: Case Management Conference continued until 2/27/2013 11:00 AM in Scranton before Honorable Malachy E Mannion.Signed by Honorable Malachy E Mannion on 2/19/13. (bs) (Entered: 02/19/2013)

Feb. 19, 2013

Feb. 19, 2013

PACER
23

CASE MANAGEMENT PLAN by Robert C. Lawton, Luzerne County. (Simon, Deborah) (Entered: 02/20/2013)

Feb. 20, 2013

Feb. 20, 2013

PACER
24

CASE MANAGEMENT PLAN of all parties by Al Flora, Jr. (Roper, Mary) (Entered: 02/21/2013)

Feb. 21, 2013

Feb. 21, 2013

PACER
25

ANSWER to 1 Complaint, by Robert C. Lawton, Luzerne County. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Service)(Simon, Deborah) (Entered: 02/26/2013)

Feb. 26, 2013

Feb. 26, 2013

PACER
26

STIPULATION of Dismissal (Order) by Robert C. Lawton, Luzerne County. (Dean, John) (Entered: 03/05/2013)

March 5, 2013

March 5, 2013

Clearinghouse
27

ORDER DISMISSING CASE - granting stipulation.Signed by Honorable Malachy E Mannion on 3/11/13. (bs) (Entered: 03/11/2013)

March 11, 2013

March 11, 2013

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Pennsylvania

Case Type(s):

Indigent Defense

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 10, 2012

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The Public Defender of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania and public defender clients

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Unknown

Defendants

Luzerne County (Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Litigation

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Content of Injunction:

Other requirements regarding hiring, promotion, retention

Preliminary relief request withdrawn/mooted

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Funding

Language access/needs

Quality of representation

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Crowding / caseload