Case: Andre H. v. Sobol

1:84-cv-03114 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Filed Date: May 3, 1984

Closed Date: Sept. 10, 1993

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On May 3, 1984 juveniles filed a class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA), 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et. seq., and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, challenging their conditions of confinement at the Spofford Juvenile Center (Spofford). Plaintiffs were represented by the New York Legal Aid Society, Juvenile Rights Division and sought declaratory and injunctive relief. Clas…

On May 3, 1984 juveniles filed a class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA), 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400 et. seq., and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794, challenging their conditions of confinement at the Spofford Juvenile Center (Spofford). Plaintiffs were represented by the New York Legal Aid Society, Juvenile Rights Division and sought declaratory and injunctive relief.

Class certification was granted by the District Court on February 26, 1985. After years of discovery, the parties settled the case. On September 10, 1990, the District Court (Judge David N. Edelstein) approved and entered a Stipulation and Order of Settlement. The Stipulation set forth agreed reforms to be implemented in the following areas: assessment, evaluation and placement of juveniles; education; staffing requirements; procedural safeguards; and special education and regulations relating to handicapped children. The Stipulation provided for a monitoring period of three years.

By separate order dated December 26, 1990, plaintiffs were awarded attorneys' fees and costs in the amount of $135,000.

According to the PACER docket, the case was administratively closed on August 6, 1991. We have no further information on the case.

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (2/26/2007)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/9307013/parties/andre-v-ambach/


Judge(s)

Edelstein, David Norton (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Firestein, Rose E. (New York)

Gittis, Lenore (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Abrams, Robert W. (New York)

Goodman, Grace (New York)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:84-cv-03114

Docket (Pacer)

Andre v. Ambach

Aug. 6, 1991

Aug. 6, 1991

Docket

1:84-cv-03114

Opinion

Andre H. v. Ambach

Feb. 26, 1985

Feb. 26, 1985

Order/Opinion

104 F.R.D. 104

1:84-cv-03114

Stipulation and Order of Settlement

Sept. 10, 1990

Sept. 10, 1990

Order/Opinion

1:84-cv-03114

Stipulation and Order Regarding Attorney's Fees and Costs

Dec. 26, 1990

Dec. 26, 1990

Order/Opinion

1:84-cv-03114

Correspondence

Jan. 3, 1991

Jan. 3, 1991

Correspondence

1:84-cv-03114

Correspondence

Jan. 14, 1991

Jan. 14, 1991

Correspondence

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/9307013/andre-v-ambach/

Last updated March 24, 2024, 3:10 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link

Case closed (jl)

Aug. 6, 1991

Aug. 6, 1991

PACER

Case closed (jl)

Aug. 6, 1991

Aug. 6, 1991

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: New York

Case Type(s):

Juvenile Institution

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 3, 1984

Closing Date: Sept. 10, 1993

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A;; juveniles confined at the Spofford Juvenile Center (Spofford).

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: Yes

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Spofford Juvenile Detention Center (New York City), State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Indv. w/ Disab. Educ. Act (IDEA), Educ. of All Handcpd. Children Act , 20 U.S.C. § 1400

Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act), 29 U.S.C. § 701

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Due Process: Substantive Due Process

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 1990 - 1993

Issues

General:

Education

Individualized planning

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Disability and Disability Rights:

Special education

Discrimination-basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)

Type of Facility:

Government-run