Case: Martinez Rodriguez v. Jimenez

3:75-00893 | U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico

Filed Date: Aug. 12, 1975

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Case Summary

In 1975 inmates at the San Juan District Jail in Puerto Rico filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging violations of the Fourteenth Amendment on the part of the jail administrators due to inadequate conditions of the jail. The Court consolidated the case into a class action shortly thereafter. Plaintiffs, who were represented by private counsel, sought permanent and injunctive relief. After conducting its own investiga…

In 1975 inmates at the San Juan District Jail in Puerto Rico filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging violations of the Fourteenth Amendment on the part of the jail administrators due to inadequate conditions of the jail. The Court consolidated the case into a class action shortly thereafter. Plaintiffs, who were represented by private counsel, sought permanent and injunctive relief. After conducting its own investigation and finding that conditions were in fact violative of inmates' constitutional rights, the Court (Judge Juan Torruella) found for the plaintiffs, ordering permanent injunctive relief with respect to the administration of the jail and the cessation of operation of the jail after August 1, 1976, and attorneys' fees. Martinez Rodriguez v. Jimenez, 409 F.Supp. 582 (D. P.R. 1976).

The defendants appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, requesting a stay of portions of the District Court order pertaining to the administration of the jail. The First Circuit (per curiam) denied the stay, finding that appellants failed to fulfill the legal standards necessary to entitle them to such a grant. Martinez Rodriguez v. Jimenez, 537 F.2d 1 (1st Cir. 1976). The defendants also appealed the District Court's grant of attorneys' fees to plaintiffs. The First Circuit (Judge Martin Donald Van Oosterhout) affirmed the District Court's order for attorneys' fees, finding such award proper and not barred by the Eleventh Amendment. Martinez Rodriguez v. Jimenez, 551 F.2d 877 (1st Cir. 1977).

Summary Authors

Rebecca Bloch (3/24/2006)

People


Judge(s)

Campbell, John Archibald (District of Columbia)

Coffin, Frank Morey (Maine)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Aboy, Roberto Buso (Puerto Rico)

Attorney for Defendant

Armstrong, Roberto Jr. (Puerto Rico)

Diaz, Arturo (Puerto Rico)

Judge(s)

Campbell, John Archibald (District of Columbia)

Coffin, Frank Morey (Maine)

McEntee, Edward Matthew (Rhode Island)

Torruella, Juan R. (Puerto Rico)

Van Oosterhout, Martin Donald (Iowa)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:75-00893

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

Feb. 18, 1976

Feb. 18, 1976

Order/Opinion

76-01166

Opinion

U. S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

June 3, 1976

June 3, 1976

Order/Opinion

76-01166

Opinion

U. S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

March 23, 1977

March 23, 1977

Order/Opinion

Docket

Last updated Jan. 16, 2024, 3 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Puerto Rico

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 12, 1975

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

inmates at the San Juan District Jail in Puerto Rico

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: Unknown

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

San Juan District Jail, School District

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Due Process: Substantive Due Process

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Order Duration: 1976 - None

Issues

General:

Access to lawyers or judicial system

Classification / placement

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Crowding / caseload

Type of Facility:

Government-run