In April 2007, Plaintiffs, a class of pre-arraignment inmates at Valencia County Detention Center (VCDC), were subjected to strip searches. Plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, filed a 28 U.S.C. 1983 lawsuit against the County and the private corporation operating the facility, alleging ...
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In April 2007, Plaintiffs, a class of pre-arraignment inmates at Valencia County Detention Center (VCDC), were subjected to strip searches. Plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, filed a 28 U.S.C. 1983 lawsuit against the County and the private corporation operating the facility, alleging violations of their constitutional rights and state law violations. The plaintiffs sought damages and an injunction.
Plaintiffs and Defendants stipulated to a settlement on Dec. 12, 2008, under which plaintiffs agreed to dismiss their case, acknowledge that the VCDC had already ameliorated the strip search policy, and the defendants would pay, collectively, approximately 3.3 million dollars in damages to a settlement fund. The class representatives received approximately $42,000 dollars each.
The Federal District Court for the District of New Mexico, (Judge Christina Armijo), approved the settlement agreement on July 7, 2009.
Blase Kearney - 04/08/2012
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