Case: Aguilar v. Mitchell

2:77-cv-00254 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington

Filed Date: Sept. 9, 1977

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Case Summary

On September 9, 1977, a juvenile detained at the juvenile detention center in the Walla Walla County Courthouse, in Washington, filed a class action lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington against state judges, county commissioners, and administrators of Court Services of Walla Walla County. The class consisted of all juveniles who had been confined in the juvenile detention center since 1975, who were confined in the detention center at the tim…

On September 9, 1977, a juvenile detained at the juvenile detention center in the Walla Walla County Courthouse, in Washington, filed a class action lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington against state judges, county commissioners, and administrators of Court Services of Walla Walla County. The class consisted of all juveniles who had been confined in the juvenile detention center since 1975, who were confined in the detention center at the time the complaint was filed, and who would be confined in the detention center. Evergreen Legal Services represented the class. The plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief along with damages, alleging that the policies and conditions at the juvenile detention center violated the constitutional guarantees of free association, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, equal protection, freedom from cruel and unusual punishment, due process, and privacy.

According to the complaint, juveniles were confined in the juvenile detention center while they awaited trial, awaited their disposition hearing, awaited implementation of the disposition decision, or served sentences. The cells were small, dirty, poorly lit, and poorly ventilated. The juveniles were locked in their cells twenty-four hours a day. Showers were only allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The detained juveniles were not provided with educational, recreational, social, psychological, or other services necessary for incarcerated juveniles.

The only information we have on this case is the complaint that was filed on September 9, 1977.

Summary Authors

Kaitlin Corkran (5/24/2006)

People


Attorney for Plaintiff

Corrigan, Charles E. (Washington)

Fox, Michael J. (Washington)

Pirie, Ellen (Washington)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:77-cv-00254

Complaint (Class Action)

Sept. 9, 1977

Sept. 9, 1977

Complaint

Docket

Last updated Jan. 25, 2024, 3:01 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Washington

Case Type(s):

Juvenile Institution

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 9, 1977

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

all juveniles who were or would be confined in the Walla Walla Juvenile Detention Center

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Legal Services/Legal Aid

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Walla Walla County (Walla Walla), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Unreasonable search and seizure

Freedom of speech/association

Equal Protection

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Unknown

Nature of Relief:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Education

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Mail

Recreation / Exercise

Sanitation / living conditions

Totality of conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Visiting

Crowding / caseload

Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)

Type of Facility:

Government-run