Case: Gadson v. Crawford

2008CV151884 | Georgia state trial court

Filed Date: June 7, 2008

Closed Date: 2009

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Case Summary

On June 11, 2008 plaintiffs filed a class action complaint in the Superior Court for Fulton County, Georgia pursuant to state law and 42 U.S.C. §1983. Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief to protect their rights as clients represented by Metro Conflict Defender Office to continued representation by counsel, access to judicial system, and due process of law. Plaintiffs also sought to protect the legal and professional responsibilities of the lawyers at the Metro Conflict Defende…

On June 11, 2008 plaintiffs filed a class action complaint in the Superior Court for Fulton County, Georgia pursuant to state law and 42 U.S.C. §1983. Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief to protect their rights as clients represented by Metro Conflict Defender Office to continued representation by counsel, access to judicial system, and due process of law. Plaintiffs also sought to protect the legal and professional responsibilities of the lawyers at the Metro Conflict Defender Office to continue their representation of clients after entering an appearance on their behalf.

On June 6, 2006, Metro Conflict Defender Office announced the firing of all lawyers and staff who were currently representing clients in the Superior and Juvenile Courts of Fulton and DeKalb Counties. This became effective on June 30, 2008. There were no arrangements made for a transition of representation. The firings left over 1800 clients without representation. Plaintiffs asserted violations of the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and Article 1 Section 1 of the Georgia Constitution.

On January 16, 2009, (Westmoreland, J.) the case was dismissed.

Summary Authors

Dayna Frenkel (2/18/2009)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Bright, Stephen B. (Georgia)

Garland, Edward T. M. (Georgia)

Knowles, Ralph I. Jr. (Georgia)

Samuel, Donald F (Georgia)

Attorney for Defendant

Orland, Devon (Georgia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2008CV151884

Docket

Gadson et al., v. Crawford

Feb. 9, 2009

Feb. 9, 2009

Docket

2008CV151884

Complaint

Gadson et al v. Crawford

June 7, 2008

June 7, 2008

Complaint

Resources

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:28 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Georgia

Case Type(s):

Indigent Defense

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 7, 2008

Closing Date: 2009

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Clients of the Metro Conflict Defender Office about to be deprived of their lawyers due to mass firings. Plaintiffs are also lawyers employed by the Metro Conflict Defender who have been fired even though representing hundreds of clients.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Southern Center for Human Rights (SCHR)

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Denied

Defendants

Mack Crawford, State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Reproductive rights:

Fetus Identity