Case: Jane G. v. Solano County

2:84-cv-00080 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Filed Date: Jan. 17, 1984

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Case Summary

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 pl…

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)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Schauffer, Carole B. (California)

Shotton, Alice C. (California)

Smith, Greer M. (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Gordinier, Thomas H. (California)

Lamoree, Charles O. (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:84-cv-00080

Civil Rights Complaint

Jan. 17, 1984

Jan. 17, 1984

Complaint

2:84-cv-00080

Settlement Agreement and Order re: Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and Damages

Feb. 4, 1985

Feb. 4, 1985

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated Jan. 23, 2024, 3:19 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Juvenile Institution

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):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Youth Law Center

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:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 1985 - None

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Bathing and hygiene

Disciplinary procedures

Education

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Mail

Religious programs / policies

Sanitation / living conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Disciplinary segregation

Affected Sex or Gender:

Male

Medical/Mental Health:

Medical care, general

Type of Facility:

Government-run