Case: Lira v. Dona Ana County

1:06-cv-00179 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico

Filed Date: March 7, 2006

Closed Date: 2008

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On March 7, 2006, seven individuals that had been arrested on minor offenses filed a class action civil rights suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, challenging the strip search policy of the Dona Ana County Jail. Plaintiffs alleged that the Dona Ana County Sheriff had a blanket policy of strip searching all pre-arraignment detainees upon their arrival at the Jail, regardless of the offense charged, or whether their was any suspicion that the det…

On March 7, 2006, seven individuals that had been arrested on minor offenses filed a class action civil rights suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, challenging the strip search policy of the Dona Ana County Jail. Plaintiffs alleged that the Dona Ana County Sheriff had a blanket policy of strip searching all pre-arraignment detainees upon their arrival at the Jail, regardless of the offense charged, or whether their was any suspicion that the detainee possessed weapons or contraband. The plaintiffs, who were strip searched pursuant to this policy, alleged that that the policy violated the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as state tort law. Plaintiffs sought compensatory and punitive damages, declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as class certification. The Dona Ana County Sheriff generally denied the allegations.

Shortly after the suit was filed, the District Court (District Judge William P. Johnson) stayed the proceedings at the request of the parties so that they could pursue settlement negotiations. Ultimately, a settlement agreement was reached. After the initial settlement agreement, Judge Johnson entered an agreed order consolidating the case with a similar case styled Rodriguez v. Dona Ana County, which contested strip searches at the County juvenile detention facility. The parties then filed an Amended Stipulation of Settlement, under which the Defendants agreed to pay $5.3 million to resolve all class claims. The stipulated Adult Settlement Class included all detainees who were strip searched between March 7, 2003, and March 7, 2006, at the Dona Ana County Jail prior to arraignment. The stipulated Juvenile Settlement class included all detainees who were strip searched between May 16, 2003, and May 16, 2006, at the Dona Ana Juvenile Detention Center. It was estimated that there were approximately 11,000 class members. Individual claims were to be paid per an agreed-upon distribution formula, with the range of expected pay-outs per individual claimant was estimated at $1,200 to $2,400. Representative plaintiffs would receive a total $200,000 or $25,000 per class representative. $1,666,667 of the settlement fund was allocated for attorneys' fees.

Judge Johnson preliminarily approved the settlement on December 20, 2007.

On May 20, 2008, the district court (Judge Johnson) issued a final approval of the settlement and a final judgment of dismissal in the case.

 

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (10/3/2008)

Related Cases

Rodriguez v. Dona Ana County, District of New Mexico (2006)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12522113/parties/lira-v-dona-ana-county-boar/


Judge(s)

Johnson, William Paul (New Mexico)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bienvenu, John C. (New Mexico)

Donatelli, Mark H. (New Mexico)

Lilley, Jess R. (New Mexico)

Attorney for Defendant

Carrillo, Raul A. Jr. (New Mexico)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:06-cv-00179

Docket

Lira v. Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners

July 31, 2008

July 31, 2008

Docket
1

1:06-cv-00179

Class Action Complaint Complaint

Lira v. Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners

March 7, 2006

March 7, 2006

Complaint
38-1

1:06-cv-00179

Stipulation of Settlement

Lira v. Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners

Sept. 19, 2007

Sept. 19, 2007

Settlement Agreement
38

1:06-cv-00179

Joint Unopposed Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement Agreement

Lira v. Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners

Sept. 19, 2007

Sept. 19, 2007

Pleading / Motion / Brief
46-2

1:06-cv-00179

Amended Stipulation of Settlement

Lira v. Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners

Nov. 25, 2007

Nov. 25, 2007

Settlement Agreement

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12522113/lira-v-dona-ana-county-boar/

Last updated Jan. 27, 2024, 3:29 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT (5 Summons(es) issued) (referred to Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch) (yc) (Entered: 03/08/2006)

March 7, 2006

March 7, 2006

Clearinghouse

FILING FEE PAID: on 3/7/06 in the amount of $250.00, receipt #: 209492. (yc)

March 8, 2006

March 8, 2006

PACER

LETTER re consent to proceed before a U.S. Magistrate Judge (yc)

March 8, 2006

March 8, 2006

PACER
2

ACCEPTANCE/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SERVICE of s/c by deft Dona Ana County Board on 3/8/06 (jrm) Modified on 03/31/2006 (Entered: 03/27/2006)

March 24, 2006

March 24, 2006

PACER
3

NOTICE by deft Dona Ana County Board of Service of Consent to Proceed before a US Magistrate Judge (nc) (Entered: 03/27/2006)

March 24, 2006

March 24, 2006

PACER
4

RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant Christopher Barela on 3/27/06 (yc) (Entered: 03/27/2006)

March 27, 2006

March 27, 2006

PACER
5

RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant Alfonso Soliz on 3/23/06 (yc) (Entered: 03/27/2006)

March 27, 2006

March 27, 2006

PACER
6

RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant Cheryl Roach on 3/27/06 (yc) (Entered: 03/27/2006)

March 27, 2006

March 27, 2006

PACER
7

NOTICE by pltfs of refusal to consent to proceed before a U.S. Magistrate Judge (yc) (Entered: 03/27/2006)

March 27, 2006

March 27, 2006

PACER
8

ACCEPTANCE/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SERVICE by defts Dona Ana County Board, Christopher Barela, Alfonso Soliz and Cheryl Roach on 3/24/06 (jrm) Modified on 03/31/2006 (Entered: 03/28/2006)

March 27, 2006

March 27, 2006

PACER
9

MINUTE ORDER: transferring case to the Albuquerque Division and reassigning case from Magistrate Judge Lourdes A Martinez to District Judge William P. Johnson (cc: all counsel*) (jrm) (Entered: 03/28/2006)

March 28, 2006

March 28, 2006

PACER
10

UNOPPOSED MOTION by defts to extend time until 4/21/06 to answer the complaint (jrm) (Entered: 04/11/2006)

April 10, 2006

April 10, 2006

PACER
11

ORDER by Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch granting defts' motion to extend time until 4/21/06 to answer the complaint [10-1] (cc: all counsel) (yc) (Entered: 04/14/2006)

April 13, 2006

April 13, 2006

PACER
12

ORDER by Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch Telephonic Status conference set for 4/19/06 @ 10:30 am (cc: all counsel*) (jrm) (Entered: 04/18/2006)

April 18, 2006

April 18, 2006

PACER
13

CLERK'S MINUTES: before Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch Status conference held (*) (jrm) (Entered: 04/19/2006)

April 19, 2006

April 19, 2006

PACER
14

ORDER staying proceedings by Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch for a period of 90 days as further described herein; (cc: all counsel) (yc) (Entered: 04/25/2006)

April 25, 2006

April 25, 2006

PACER
15

ACCEPTANCE/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SERVICE by deft David Wooley on 5/10/06 (jrm) (Entered: 05/11/2006)

May 10, 2006

May 10, 2006

PACER
16

ORDER by Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch setting telephonic Status hearing on 8/14/06 @ 1:30 pm (cc: all counsel)* (jm) (Entered: 07/27/2006)

July 27, 2006

July 27, 2006

PACER
17

STIPUALTED MOTION by the parties to stay proceedings for another 90 days (yc) (Entered: 07/31/2006)

July 31, 2006

July 31, 2006

PACER
18

ORDER by Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch granting the stipulated motion to stay proceedings for another 90 days until 10/24/06; the Court will hold a status conference on 8/14/06 @ 1:30 p.m.; [17-1] (cc: all counsel) (yc) (Entered: 08/02/2006)

Aug. 1, 2006

Aug. 1, 2006

PACER
19

CLERK'S MINUTES: before Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch Status conference held (*) (jrm) (Entered: 08/14/2006)

Aug. 14, 2006

Aug. 14, 2006

PACER
20

NOTICE by defts of change of address (jrm) (Entered: 09/19/2006)

Sept. 18, 2006

Sept. 18, 2006

PACER
21

ORDER by Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch Telephonic Status conference set for 11/15/06 @ 4:00 PM (cc: all counsel*) (jrm) (Entered: 11/06/2006)

Nov. 6, 2006

Nov. 6, 2006

PACER
22

CLERK'S MINUTES: before Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch Status conference held on 11/15/06 (sl) (Entered: 11/16/2006)

Nov. 16, 2006

Nov. 16, 2006

PACER
23

JOINT MOTION by parties for continuation of stay (*) (jrm) (Entered: 11/17/2006)

Nov. 16, 2006

Nov. 16, 2006

PACER
24

ORDER by Magistrate Judge William P. Lynch granting motion for continuation of stay of proceedings [23-1] (cc: all counsel) (yc) (Entered: 11/17/2006)

Nov. 17, 2006

Nov. 17, 2006

PACER
25

ORDER by Judge William P Lynch In Chambers Conference set for 3/15/2007 08:30 AM in Las Cruces - Judge William P. Lynch Chambers before Magistrate Judge William P Lynch. (nl) (Entered: 03/02/2007)

March 2, 2007

March 2, 2007

PACER
26

Clerk's Minutes for proceedings held before Judge William P Lynch : In Chambers Conference held on 3/15/2007. (nl) (Entered: 03/15/2007)

March 15, 2007

March 15, 2007

PACER
27

ORDER by Judge William P Lynch In Chambers Conference set for 6/19/2007 09:00 AM in Las Cruces - Judge William P. Lynch Chambers before Magistrate Judge William P Lynch. (nl) (Entered: 03/15/2007)

March 15, 2007

March 15, 2007

PACER
28

Joint MOTION to Continue of stay by Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners. (Carrillo, Raul) (Entered: 04/03/2007)

April 3, 2007

April 3, 2007

PACER
29

Joint MOTION for Order granting continuation of stay by Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners. (Carrillo, Raul) (Entered: 04/03/2007)

April 3, 2007

April 3, 2007

PACER
30

NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY sent to Atty R. Carrillo re 29 Joint MOTION for Order granting continuation of stay; "Incorrect Document - Order filed" (jrm) (Entered: 04/04/2007)

April 4, 2007

April 4, 2007

PACER
31

ORDER by Judge William P Lynch granting 28 Motion to Continue; granting 29 ORDER on Motion for Order (nl) (Entered: 04/04/2007)

April 4, 2007

April 4, 2007

PACER
32

NOTICE by Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners Change of Law Firm Name (Carrillo, Raul) (Entered: 05/03/2007)

May 3, 2007

May 3, 2007

PACER
33

Clerk's Minutes for proceedings held before Judge William P Lynch : Status Conference held on 6/19/2007. (nl) (Entered: 06/19/2007)

June 19, 2007

June 19, 2007

PACER
34

NOTICE by Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners of Non-Availability (Carrillo, Raul) (Entered: 07/02/2007)

July 2, 2007

July 2, 2007

PACER
35

NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY sent to Atty R. Carrillo, Jr re 34 Notice (Other) DOCUMENT "E" FILED IN WRONG CASE NUMBER" (jrm) (Entered: 07/03/2007)

July 3, 2007

July 3, 2007

PACER
36

Stipulated Confidentiality Order by Judge William P Lynch (nl) (Entered: 07/27/2007)

July 27, 2007

July 27, 2007

PACER
37

ORDER TO FILE CLOSING DOCUMENTS by Judge William P Lynch (nl) (Entered: 08/20/2007)

Aug. 20, 2007

Aug. 20, 2007

PACER
38

Unopposed MOTION to Approve Settlement Of Class Action by Jesus Lira. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A# 2 Exhibit B)(Rothstein, Robert) (Entered: 09/19/2007)

Sept. 19, 2007

Sept. 19, 2007

Clearinghouse
39

AFFIDAVIT re 38 Unopposed MOTION to Approve Settlement Of Class Action Of John C. Bienvenu by Jesus Lira (Rothstein, Robert) (Entered: 09/19/2007)

Sept. 19, 2007

Sept. 19, 2007

PACER
40

NOTICE of Hearing on Preliminary Approval of Settlement Agreement set for 10/9/2007 09:00 AM in Albuquerque - 540 Bonito Courtroom before District Judge William P. Johnson. (mag)[THIS IS A TEXT-ONLY ENTRY. THERE ARE NO DOCUMENTS ATTACHED.] (Entered: 09/26/2007)

Sept. 26, 2007

Sept. 26, 2007

PACER
41

MINUTE ORDER resetting Settlement Conference for 10/9/2007 at 02:00 PM in Albuquerque - 540 Bonito Courtroom before District Judge William P. Johnson. THIS IS A TEXT ONLY ENTRY. THERE ARE NO DOCUMENTS ATTACHED.(mag) (Entered: 09/27/2007)

Sept. 27, 2007

Sept. 27, 2007

PACER
42

Clerk's Minutes for proceedings held before Judge William P. Johnson: Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement Hearing held on 10/09/2007. (Court Reporter T. Garrett.) (rwg) (Entered: 10/10/2007)

Oct. 10, 2007

Oct. 10, 2007

PACER
43

ORDER by Judge William P. Johnson granting preliminary approval of Settlement Agreement and setting a Final Approval Hearing for 3/31/2008 at 01:30 PM in Las Cruces - Small 3rd Floor Courtroom.(mag) (Entered: 10/12/2007)

Oct. 12, 2007

Oct. 12, 2007

PACER
44

Joint MOTION to Consolidate Cases by Jesus Lira. (Rothstein, Robert) (Entered: 11/14/2007)

Nov. 14, 2007

Nov. 14, 2007

PACER
45

ORDER by Judge William P. Johnson granting 44 Motion to Consolidate Case with CV-06-416 JH/CEG. (mag) (Entered: 11/21/2007)

Nov. 21, 2007

Nov. 21, 2007

PACER
46

Joint MOTION to Approve Settlement Preliminary of Amended Class Action Settlement Agreement by Jesus Lira. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit "A" - Amended Stipulation of Settlement# 2 Exhibit "B" - Order Granting Preliminary Approval)(Rothstein, Robert) (Entered: 11/25/2007)

Nov. 25, 2007

Nov. 25, 2007

PACER
47

NOTICE of Hearing on 46 Joint MOTION to Approve Settlement Preliminary of Amended Class Action Settlementset for 12/19/2007 02:00 PM in Albuquerque - 540 Bonito Courtroom before District Judge William P. Johnson. Please be advised that this hearing may be continued due to the Courts trailing trial docket currently set to begin on December 18, 2007, in Las Cruces, NM. THIS IS A TEXT ONLY ENTRY. THERE ARE NO DOCUMENTS ATTACHED.(mag) (Entered: 11/29/2007)

Nov. 29, 2007

Nov. 29, 2007

PACER
48

AFFIDAVIT re 46 Joint MOTION to Approve Settlement Preliminary of Amended Class Action Settlement Agreement of John C. Bienvenu in Support of Joint Motion by Jesus Lira (Bienvenu, John) (Entered: 12/18/2007)

Dec. 18, 2007

Dec. 18, 2007

PACER
49

Clerk's Minutes for proceedings held before Judge William P. Johnson: Motion Hearing held on 12/19/2007 re 46 Joint MOTION for Preliminary Approval of Amended Class Action Settlement Agreement. Court to set final settlement hearing in Las Cruces in May. (Court Reporter T. Garrett.) (rwg) (Entered: 12/19/2007)

Dec. 19, 2007

Dec. 19, 2007

PACER
50

ORDER by Judge William P. Johnson granting preliminary approval of settlement and setting Final Approval Hearing on 5/12/2008 01:30 PM in Las Cruces - Second Floor Visiting Judge Courtroom.(mag) (Entered: 12/20/2007)

Dec. 20, 2007

Dec. 20, 2007

PACER
51

MINUTE ORDER by Judge William P. Johnson vacating the 3/31/07 Approval Hearing pursuant to the Order 50 entered on 12/20/07. (mag) (Entered: 12/20/2007)

Dec. 20, 2007

Dec. 20, 2007

PACER
52

[FILED IN ERROR] NOTICE of Proposed Settlement and claim form by Felipe Balderrama (vv) Modified on 4/30/2008 to add error text [vv] (Entered: 04/29/2008)

April 28, 2008

April 28, 2008

PACER
53

Unopposed MOTION to Approve Settlement of Class Action by Jesus Lira, Ben Garcia, Amber Rodriguez, Graciela Martinez, Stephen Culler, Cynthia Archer, Frederick Garcia, Douglas Beidler. (Bienvenu, John) (Entered: 05/07/2008)

May 7, 2008

May 7, 2008

PACER
54

Unopposed MOTION for Attorney Fees, Costs and Incentive Payments by Jesus Lira, Ben Garcia, Amber Rodriguez, Graciela Martinez, Stephen Culler, Cynthia Archer, Frederick Garcia, Douglas Beidler. (Bienvenu, John) (Entered: 05/07/2008)

May 7, 2008

May 7, 2008

PACER
55

AFFIDAVIT re 54 Unopposed MOTION for Attorney Fees, Costs and Incentive Payments, 53 Unopposed MOTION to Approve Settlement of Class Action of John C. Bienvenu by Jesus Lira, Ben Garcia, Amber Rodriguez, Graciela Martinez, Stephen Culler, Cynthia Archer, Frederick Garcia, Douglas Beidler (Bienvenu, John) (Entered: 05/07/2008)

May 7, 2008

May 7, 2008

PACER
56

AFFIDAVIT re 54 Unopposed MOTION for Attorney Fees, Costs and Incentive Payments, 53 Unopposed MOTION to Approve Settlement of Class Action of Marc A. Lilley by Jesus Lira, Ben Garcia, Amber Rodriguez, Graciela Martinez, Stephen Culler, Cynthia Archer, Frederick Garcia, Douglas Beidler (Bienvenu, John) (Entered: 05/07/2008)

May 7, 2008

May 7, 2008

PACER
57

AFFIDAVIT re 54 Unopposed MOTION for Attorney Fees, Costs and Incentive Payments, 53 Unopposed MOTION to Approve Settlement of Class Action of Amber Rodriguez by Jesus Lira, Ben Garcia, Amber Rodriguez, Graciela Martinez, Stephen Culler, Cynthia Archer, Frederick Garcia, Douglas Beidler (Bienvenu, John) (Entered: 05/07/2008)

May 7, 2008

May 7, 2008

PACER
58

AFFIDAVIT re 54 Unopposed MOTION for Attorney Fees, Costs and Incentive Payments, 53 Unopposed MOTION to Approve Settlement of Class Action of Mark H. Donatelli by Jesus Lira, Ben Garcia, Amber Rodriguez, Graciela Martinez, Stephen Culler, Cynthia Archer, Frederick Garcia, Douglas Beidler (Bienvenu, John) (Entered: 05/07/2008)

May 7, 2008

May 7, 2008

PACER
59

AFFIDAVIT re 54 Unopposed MOTION for Attorney Fees, Costs and Incentive Payments, 53 Unopposed MOTION to Approve Settlement of Class Action of Ryanne Fitzgerald by Jesus Lira, Ben Garcia, Amber Rodriguez, Graciela Martinez, Stephen Culler, Cynthia Archer, Frederick Garcia, Douglas Beidler (Bienvenu, John) (Entered: 05/07/2008)

May 7, 2008

May 7, 2008

PACER
60

AFFIDAVIT re 54 Unopposed MOTION for Attorney Fees, Costs and Incentive Payments, 53 Unopposed MOTION to Approve Settlement of Class Action of Robert R. Rothstein by Jesus Lira, Ben Garcia, Amber Rodriguez, Graciela Martinez, Stephen Culler, Cynthia Archer, Frederick Garcia, Douglas Beidler (Bienvenu, John) (Entered: 05/07/2008)

May 7, 2008

May 7, 2008

PACER
61

Clerk's Minutes for proceedings held before District Judge William P. Johnson: Settlement Conference held on 5/12/2008. (Court Reporter T Garrett.) (vv) (Entered: 05/12/2008)

May 12, 2008

May 12, 2008

PACER
62

Final judgment of dismissal and ORDER by District Judge William P. Johnson granting 38 46 53 Motion to Approve Settlement (vv) (Entered: 05/20/2008)

May 20, 2008

May 20, 2008

PACER
63

NOTICE by Jesus Lira re 54 Unopposed MOTION for Attorney Fees, Costs and Incentive Payments Notice of Accounting Error (Bienvenu, John) (Entered: 07/31/2008)

July 31, 2008

July 31, 2008

PACER
65

REDACTION to 64 Letter (vv) (Entered: 10/29/2008)

Oct. 27, 2008

Oct. 27, 2008

PACER
66

Joint MOTION to Approve Settlement Distribution of Settlement Proceeds by Jesus Lira. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2)(Rothstein, Robert) (Entered: 04/08/2011)

April 8, 2011

April 8, 2011

PACER
67

ORDER by District Judge William P. Johnson granting 66 Motion to Approve Settlement (vv) (Entered: 04/12/2011)

April 12, 2011

April 12, 2011

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: New Mexico

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Special Collection(s):

Strip Search Cases

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 7, 2006

Closing Date: 2008

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

All persons who, from March 3, 2003 to the present, were arrested and subjected to a strip search and/or body cavity search at the Dona Ana County Detention Facility without reasonable suspicion of contraband or weapons.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Dona Ana County (Doña Ana), County

Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department (Doña Ana), County

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Unreasonable search and seizure

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 2008 - 0

Issues

General:

Search policies

Strip search policy

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female

Male

Type of Facility:

Government-run