In 1974, plaintiffs filed a class action suit pro se against the Sheriff of Duval County and others challenging conditions at the jail. In 1975, the district court for the Middle District of Florida (Judge Charles R. Scott) enjoined defendants from continuing to violate plaintiffs' constitutional rights--under the First Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment, and Eighth Amendment--and awarded plaintiffs attorney's fees. Defendants moved for relief from the injunction, and the court modified the injunction with respect to compliance with fire codes, treatment of juveniles, outdoor recreation. Miller v. Carson, 392 F. Supp. 515 (M.D. Fla. 1975). A few months later, the district court held defendants in contempt and ordered defendants to show cause why the jail should not be closed. Defendants appealed. Miller v. Carson, 401 F. Supp. 835 (M.D. Fla. 1975).On appeal, the Fifth Circuit essentially affirmed the district court's judgment with a few minor modifications and remanded the issue of attorney's fees. Miller v. Carson, 563 F.2d 741 (5th Cir. 1977). On remand, the district court ordered defendants to pay plaintiffs' attorney's fees, and the Fifth Circuit affirmed. Miller v. Carson, 628 F.2d 346 (5th Cir. 1980). According to the PACER docket, the court vacated all consent orders and permanent injunctions in 1994 after determining that defendants had a constitutionally adequate system for housing members of plaintiffs' class and had purged themselves of any contempt.

Lauren Cutson - 05/25/2005


compress summary