Case: J.W. v. La. Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education

2:10-cv-01925 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

Filed Date: July 8, 2010

Closed Date: 2011

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On July 8, 2010, an African-American 1st grade boy, on behalf of the rest of the students at his elementary school, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The suit was filed under 42 U.S.C § 1983 against the Recovery School District and the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The plaintiff, represented by council from the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana, asked the court for injunctiv…

On July 8, 2010, an African-American 1st grade boy, on behalf of the rest of the students at his elementary school, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The suit was filed under 42 U.S.C § 1983 against the Recovery School District and the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The plaintiff, represented by council from the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana, asked the court for injunctive relief on behalf of the students at Plaintiff's school as well as a declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, and compensatory damages for himself. Specifically, the plaintiff claimed that the school district's policy of having armed police officers restrain students who violate minor school rules by handcuffing them to chairs caused the plaintiff serious harm, and violated plaintiff's rights under the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution.

At the time of the alleged violations, plaintiff was a first-grade student at Reed Elementary School. Plaintiff was six years old, was about four feet tall, and weighed approximately 60 pounds. On May 4, 2010, plaintiff allegedly failed to follow his teacher's directions. As a result, a police officer took plaintiff to an in-school suspension room where plaintiff was confined with much older students who harassed and teased him. Plaintiff was confined in this room by having his ankle chained to a chair. Two days later, on May 6, 2010, plaintiff got into a minor altercation with a classmate over a seat in the lunchroom. An armed police officer observed this, dragged plaintiff to the principal's office where plaintiff was again forcibly chained to a chair. Plaintiff's parents were not made aware of these incidents until plaintiff complained of pain on his arm and leg after the May 6th incident. Plaintiff's father then met with school officials. At this meeting he was told that the school's policy of restraining children for minor offenses would continue. At his meeting, plaintiff's father was informed that his son would now be suspended for three days.

On February 2, 2011, the court (Judge Lance M. Africk) signed an order dismissing the case after a settlement was reached. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center's website, the settlement included changes to the district's policies which prohibited the use of fixed restraints, limited the use of handcuffs, and provided formal training to all security personnel.

Summary Authors

Patrick Branson (11/4/2014)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12788946/parties/j-w-v-vallas/


Judge(s)

Africk, Lance M. (Louisiana)

Knowles, Daniel E. III (Louisiana)

Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant

Glazer, Phyllis Esther (Louisiana)

Irvin, Tanya L. (Louisiana)

Keller, Michael Courtney (Louisiana)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:10-cv-01925

Docket [PACER]

J.W. v. Vallas

Feb. 2, 2011

Feb. 2, 2011

Docket
1

2:10-cv-01925

Complaint

J.W. v. Vallas

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

Complaint
16

2:10-cv-01925

Order of Dismissal

J.W. v. Vallas

Feb. 1, 2011

Feb. 1, 2011

Order/Opinion
15

2:10-cv-01925

Order

J.W. v. Vallas

Feb. 2, 2011

Feb. 2, 2011

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12788946/j-w-v-vallas/

Last updated March 26, 2024, 3:03 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

Complaint

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

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3 Summons

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4 Summons

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5 Summons

View on PACER

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

RECAP
1

Complaint

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

View on PACER

3 Summons

View on PACER

4 Summons

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5 Summons

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July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

RECAP
1

Complaint

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

View on PACER

3 Summons

View on PACER

4 Summons

View on PACER

5 Summons

View on PACER

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

RECAP
1

Complaint

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

View on PACER

3 Summons

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4 Summons

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5 Summons

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July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

RECAP
1

Complaint

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

View on PACER

3 Summons

View on PACER

4 Summons

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5 Summons

View on PACER

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

RECAP
1

Complaint

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

View on PACER

3 Summons

View on PACER

4 Summons

View on PACER

5 Summons

View on PACER

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

RECAP
1

Complaint

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

View on PACER

3 Summons

View on PACER

4 Summons

View on PACER

5 Summons

View on PACER

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

RECAP
1

Complaint

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

View on PACER

3 Summons

View on PACER

4 Summons

View on PACER

5 Summons

View on PACER

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

RECAP
1

Complaint

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

2 Summons

View on PACER

3 Summons

View on PACER

4 Summons

View on PACER

5 Summons

View on PACER

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

RECAP
2

Motion to Certify Class

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
2

Motion to Certify Class

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
2

Motion to Certify Class

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
2

Motion to Certify Class

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
2

Motion to Certify Class

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
2

Motion to Certify Class

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
2

Motion to Certify Class

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
2

Motion to Certify Class

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
2

Motion to Certify Class

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
3

Memorandum

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
3

Memorandum

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
3

Memorandum

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
3

Memorandum

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
3

Memorandum

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
3

Memorandum

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
3

Memorandum

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
3

Memorandum

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
3

Memorandum

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
4

Initial Case Assignment

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
4

Initial Case Assignment

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
4

Initial Case Assignment

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
4

Initial Case Assignment

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
4

Initial Case Assignment

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
4

Initial Case Assignment

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
4

Initial Case Assignment

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
4

Initial Case Assignment

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
4

Initial Case Assignment

July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010

PACER
5

Summons Issued

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
5

Summons Issued

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
5

Summons Issued

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
5

Summons Issued

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
5

Summons Issued

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
5

Summons Issued

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
5

Summons Issued

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
5

Summons Issued

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
5

Summons Issued

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
6

Correction of Docket Entry by Clerk

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
6

Correction of Docket Entry by Clerk

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
6

Correction of Docket Entry by Clerk

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
6

Correction of Docket Entry by Clerk

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
6

Correction of Docket Entry by Clerk

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
6

Correction of Docket Entry by Clerk

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
6

Correction of Docket Entry by Clerk

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
6

Correction of Docket Entry by Clerk

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
6

Correction of Docket Entry by Clerk

July 9, 2010

July 9, 2010

PACER
7

Motion to Certify Class

July 12, 2010

July 12, 2010

PACER
7

Motion to Certify Class

July 12, 2010

July 12, 2010

PACER
7

Motion to Certify Class

July 12, 2010

July 12, 2010

PACER
7

Motion to Certify Class

July 12, 2010

July 12, 2010

PACER
7

Motion to Certify Class

July 12, 2010

July 12, 2010

PACER
7

Motion to Certify Class

July 12, 2010

July 12, 2010

PACER
7

Motion to Certify Class

July 12, 2010

July 12, 2010

PACER
7

Motion to Certify Class

July 12, 2010

July 12, 2010

PACER
7

Motion to Certify Class

July 12, 2010

July 12, 2010

PACER
8

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 17, 2010

Aug. 17, 2010

PACER
8

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 17, 2010

Aug. 17, 2010

PACER
8

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 17, 2010

Aug. 17, 2010

PACER
8

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 17, 2010

Aug. 17, 2010

PACER
8

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 17, 2010

Aug. 17, 2010

PACER
8

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 17, 2010

Aug. 17, 2010

PACER
8

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 17, 2010

Aug. 17, 2010

PACER
8

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 17, 2010

Aug. 17, 2010

PACER
8

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 17, 2010

Aug. 17, 2010

PACER
9

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 23, 2010

Aug. 23, 2010

PACER
9

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 23, 2010

Aug. 23, 2010

PACER
9

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 23, 2010

Aug. 23, 2010

PACER
9

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 23, 2010

Aug. 23, 2010

PACER
9

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 23, 2010

Aug. 23, 2010

PACER
9

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 23, 2010

Aug. 23, 2010

PACER
9

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 23, 2010

Aug. 23, 2010

PACER
9

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 23, 2010

Aug. 23, 2010

PACER
9

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Aug. 23, 2010

Aug. 23, 2010

PACER
10

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
10

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
10

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
10

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
10

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
10

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
10

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
10

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
10

Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
11

Motion to Continue

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
11

Motion to Continue

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
11

Motion to Continue

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
11

Motion to Continue

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
11

Motion to Continue

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
11

Motion to Continue

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
11

Motion to Continue

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
11

Motion to Continue

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
11

Motion to Continue

Sept. 20, 2010

Sept. 20, 2010

PACER
12

Order Setting/Resetting Hearing on Motion

Sept. 22, 2010

Sept. 22, 2010

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Louisiana

Case Type(s):

Education

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 8, 2010

Closing Date: 2011

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

All children who attend Sarah T. Reed Elementary School

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Southern Poverty Law Center

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Denied

Defendants

Recovery School District , School District

Louisiana, State

Defendant Type(s):

Elementary/Secondary School

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

State law

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

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

Issues

General:

Restraints : physical

Policing:

Excessive force

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Confinement/isolation

Type of Facility:

Government-run