Case: P.D. v. Middlesex County

MID-L-3811-14 | New Jersey state trial court

Filed Date: July 25, 2014

Closed Date: Jan. 28, 2018

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Case Summary

In June 2014, a pre-trial detainee with psychiatric disorders in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center filed this lawsuit against the Middlesex County in the Superior Court of New Jersey. The plaintiff, represented by the ACLU, sought injunctive, declaratory and monetary relief, claiming violations of the Due Process and the Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clauses of the New Jersey Constitution and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. The plaintiff argued he had a long psychiatric his…

In June 2014, a pre-trial detainee with psychiatric disorders in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center filed this lawsuit against the Middlesex County in the Superior Court of New Jersey. The plaintiff, represented by the ACLU, sought injunctive, declaratory and monetary relief, claiming violations of the Due Process and the Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clauses of the New Jersey Constitution and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. The plaintiff argued he had a long psychiatric history and had received extensive special education. He argued that nonetheless, while in jail, he was held in solitary confinement for months while awaiting trial, with little or no meaningful human contact or mental stimulation, and that his mental health problems got worse during that time.

There is no information available on what happened in the case between 2014 and 2018. On January 8, 2018, the parties entered into a settlement agreement. The County agreed to pay $100,000 to the plaintiff: $25,875 in damages; $37,000 as reimburse for costs associated with the litigation; and $37,125 to cover attorney's fees. The County also agreed to provide plaintiff's attorney with notice if the plaintiff was reincarcerated.

There is no information on whether the settlement was approved by the court, but it appears the case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Daniele de Oliveira Nunes (4/14/2019)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Barocas, Edward (New Jersey)

Blanco, Mayling C. (New Jersey)

Livengood, Rebecca (New Jersey)

LoCicero, Jeanne (New Jersey)

O'Connor, Susan K. (New Jersey)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

MID-L-3811-14

Verified Complaint, Jury Demand and Designation of Trial Counsel

July 25, 2014

July 25, 2014

Complaint

MID-L-3811-14

Statement of Facts and Brief in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment on Behalf of Defendant, Middlesex County

Nov. 18, 2016

Nov. 18, 2016

Pleading / Motion / Brief

MID-L-3811-14

Brief in Opposition to Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment

Dec. 6, 2016

Dec. 6, 2016

Pleading / Motion / Brief

MID-L-3811-14

Order

Feb. 10, 2017

Feb. 10, 2017

Order/Opinion

MID-L-3811-14

Order

Feb. 21, 2017

Feb. 21, 2017

Order/Opinion

MID-L-3811-14

Settlement Agreement

Jan. 28, 2018

Jan. 28, 2018

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:26 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: New Jersey

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 25, 2014

Closing Date: Jan. 28, 2018

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A male pre-trial detainee who was being held in solitary confinement in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Middlesex County (Middlesex), County

Defendant Type(s):

Corrections

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State law

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Attorneys fees

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Amount Defendant Pays: 100,000

Order Duration: 2018 - 2018

Content of Injunction:

Reporting

Issues

General:

Conditions of confinement

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Disciplinary segregation

Solitary confinement/Supermax (conditions or process)

Disability and Disability Rights:

Mental impairment

Medical/Mental Health:

Intellectual disability/mental illness dual diagnosis

Type of Facility:

Government-run