Filed Date: Jan. 17, 1984
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On January 17, 1984, a class action lawsuit was filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Solano County, California, and county corrections officials in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California on behalf of all juveniles detained in the past, present, and future at Solano County Juvenile Hall. The plaintiffs, represented by the Youth Law Center, alleged that their constitutional rights were violated by Juvenile Hall's policies and procedures.
In their complaint, the plaintiffs alleged that Solano County Juvenile Hall denied detainees' access to the courts. Detainees at Solano County Juvenile Hall were not permitted to communicate with any attorney other than the criminal defense attorney of record. The plaintiffs also claimed that Solano County Juvenile Hall's policies and procedures for isolation were arbitrary, draconian, and could result in weeks of isolation without due process of law. The plaintiffs sought injunctive relief for the class and compensatory and punitive damages for the named plaintiff.
On February 4, 1985, the parties entered a settlement agreement, in which the county admitted no wrongdoing but agreed to adopt different policies. Under the settlement, detainees could communicate by phone with any attorney, even while in isolation. Similarly, Solano County Juvenile Hall agreed, except in emergencies, to give written notice and hold a hearing prior to isolating a juvenile. If isolated, detainees would have access to showers, toilets, religious services, education, medical care, attorneys and the mail. The settlement agreement also provided for sanitary accommodation, clean clothes, full meals, writing materials, and close monitoring when a juvenile was isolated. The parties reserved their rights to litigate payment of attorneys' fees and costs.
Our copy of the settlement agreement is not signed and we do not have the docket for this case.
Summary Authors
Elizabeth Chilcoat (5/16/2006)
Schauffer, Carole B. (California)
Shotton, Alice C. (California)
Smith, Greer M. (California)
Gordinier, Thomas H. (California)
Lamoree, Charles O. (California)
Last updated March 30, 2024, 3:01 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: California
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Jan. 17, 1984
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
all juveniles detained in the past, present, and future at Solano County Juvenile Hall
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
California Department of Corrections (Solano), State
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 1985 - None
Issues
General:
Access to lawyers or judicial system
Food service / nutrition / hydration
Sanitation / living conditions
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
Affected Sex or Gender:
Medical/Mental Health:
Type of Facility: