Case: Savard v. Rhode Island

1:00-cv-00261 | U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island

Filed Date: May 30, 2000

Closed Date: 2004

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This lawsuit was filed on the heels of a separate case, Roberts v. Rhode Island. In Roberts, the Rhode Island District Court enjoined as unconstitutional the enforcement of a written strip and body cavity search policy then in effect at the Adult Correctional Institution (ACI) in Cranston, Rhode Island. See Roberts v. Rhode Island, 175 F.Supp.2d 176, 183 (D.R.I. 2000), affirmed by Roberts v. Rhode Island, 239 F.3d 107, 113 (1st Cir. 2001). On May 17, 2000 (the day the District Court issued its …

This lawsuit was filed on the heels of a separate case, Roberts v. Rhode Island. In Roberts, the Rhode Island District Court enjoined as unconstitutional the enforcement of a written strip and body cavity search policy then in effect at the Adult Correctional Institution (ACI) in Cranston, Rhode Island. See Roberts v. Rhode Island, 175 F.Supp.2d 176, 183 (D.R.I. 2000), affirmed by Roberts v. Rhode Island, 239 F.3d 107, 113 (1st Cir. 2001). On May 17, 2000 (the day the District Court issued its injunctive order in the Roberts case), Rhode Island abandoned the challenged policy. Thereafter, on May 30, 2000, the plaintiffs in this case, a group of individuals who had been arrested for non-violent, non-drug related misdemeanors and had been subjected to the proscribed strip and body cavity search policy before its abolition on May 17, 2000, filed this 42 U.S.C. § 1983 class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Plaintiffs alleged that their Fourth Amendment rights were violated when they were subjected to the ACI's pre-May 17, 2000 blanket policy of conducting strip and body cavity searches of all new entrants to the facility (including misdemeanant arrestees), despite the absence of reasonable suspicion. Plaintiffs claimed that, as a result of the constitutional violations, they were entitled to monetary damages.

Interestingly, Craig L. Roberts, Sr., the plaintiff in the Roberts case, was also among the plaintiffs seeking monetary damages in this subsequently filed lawsuit. The District Court, at the request of Defendants, dismissed Roberts's claim on grounds of res judicata. The defendant jail officials then moved for summary judgment against the remaining plaintiffs on the ground that they were entitled to qualified immunity because, prior to the Roberts decision, it was not clearly established that the ACI policy violated the Constitution. The District Court (Judge Mary M. Lisi) agreed and granted summary judgment in favor of Defendants. The plaintiffs appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Initially, a First Circuit panel reversed the District Court's judgment. Savard v. Rhode Island, 320 F.3d 34 (1st Cir. 2003). Upon granting rehearing en banc, however, a divided First Circuit reversed the panel decision and affirmed the District Court's grant of summary judgment in favor of Defendants. The en banc Court reasoned that the jail officials were entitled to qualified immunity since, at the time the searches were conducted (prior to the Roberts decision), it was not yet clearly established that the blanket strip search policy at issue was unconstitutional. Savard v. Rhode Island, 338 F.3d 23 (1st Cir.2003).

Plaintiffs subsequently sought but were denied Certiorari by the United States Supreme Court. Savard v. Rhode Island, 540 U.S. 1109 (2004). The case now appears to be closed.

 

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (2/12/2008)

Related Cases

Roberts v. State of Rhode Island, District of Rhode Island (1999)

People


Judge(s)

Boudin, Michael (Massachusetts)

Bownes, Hugh Henry (New Hampshire)

Coffin, Frank Morey (Maine)

Howard, Jeffrey R. (New Hampshire)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Belzley, Gregory A. (Kentucky)

Attorney for Defendant
Judge(s)

Boudin, Michael (Massachusetts)

Bownes, Hugh Henry (New Hampshire)

Coffin, Frank Morey (Maine)

Howard, Jeffrey R. (New Hampshire)

Lipez, Kermit Victor (Maine)

Lisi, Mary M. (Rhode Island)

Lynch, Sandra Lea (Massachusetts)

Selya, Bruce Marshall (Rhode Island)

Torruella, Juan R. (Puerto Rico)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:00-cv-00261

Docket [PACER]

Savard, et al v. State of Rhode Island, et al

Sept. 11, 2003

Sept. 11, 2003

Docket

02-01568

Opinion

Savard v. Rhode Island

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Feb. 11, 2003

Feb. 11, 2003

Order/Opinion

320 F.3d 320

02-01568

Judgment and Opinions En Banc

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

Aug. 4, 2003

Aug. 4, 2003

Order/Opinion

338 F.3d 338

03-00683

[Cert. denied]

Supreme Court of the United States

Jan. 12, 2004

Jan. 12, 2004

Order/Opinion

540 U.S. 540

Docket

Last updated March 20, 2024, 3:09 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT filed; FILING FEE $ 150.00 RECEIPT # 44912 (McCabe, F) (Entered: 05/30/2000)

May 30, 2000

May 30, 2000

CASE assigned to Judge Mary M. Lisi . Assigned to Magistrate Judge Martin (McCabe, F) (Entered: 05/30/2000)

May 30, 2000

May 30, 2000

2

NOTICE of Pendency of other action or proceedings by State of Rhode, George Vose, A. T. Wall, William Cudworth, Albert Gardiner, Roberta Richman, Paul M. Kennedy (Delano, D) (Entered: 06/12/2000)

June 9, 2000

June 9, 2000

3

ENTRY of appearance for State of Rhode by James R. Lee, Rebecca Tedford Partington (Delano, D) (Entered: 06/12/2000)

June 9, 2000

June 9, 2000

4

MOTION by State of Rhode, George Vose, A. T. Wall, William Cudworth, Albert Gardiner, Roberta Richman, Paul M. Kennedy to Dismiss (Delano, D) (Entered: 06/14/2000)

June 12, 2000

June 12, 2000

5

MOTION by State of Rhode, George Vose, A. T. Wall, William Cudworth, Albert Gardiner, Roberta Richman, Paul M. Kennedy for Sanctions (Delano, D) (Entered: 06/14/2000)

June 12, 2000

June 12, 2000

6

ANSWER to Complaint by State of Rhode, George Vose, A. T. Wall, William Cudworth, Albert Gardiner, Roberta Richman, Paul M. Kennedy (Attorney Rebecca Tedford Partington), (Delano, D) (Entered: 06/14/2000)

June 12, 2000

June 12, 2000

7

RETURN OF SERVICE executed as to State of Rhode, George Vose, A. T. Wall, William Cudworth, Albert Gardiner, Roberta Richman, Paul M. Kennedy 6/2/00 Answer due on 6/22/00 for State of Rhode, for George Vose, for A. T. Wall, for William Cudworth, for Albert Gardiner, for Roberta Richman, for Paul M. Kennedy (Delano, D) (Entered: 06/15/2000)

June 14, 2000

June 14, 2000

8

OBJECTION by Angela Savard, Lisa Ronci, Priscilla Harris, Craig L. Roberts Sr., Rebecca Dorsey, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Robert Dull, Stephanie Clarke, Misty Tolleson, George Barber, William Carcieri, Rebecca Dorsey, Sammy Farland, Steven Fusco, Jeffrey Larisa, Charles Sanchez, Richard Squires, Anita Tarczuk, Nabbil Rashid, Kevin Mancieri to [5-1] motion for Sanctions (Delano, D) (Entered: 06/23/2000)

June 21, 2000

June 21, 2000

Motion(s) referred to Judge: [5-1] motion for Sanctions, [4-1] motion to Dismiss (Brunelle, E) (Entered: 06/27/2000)

June 27, 2000

June 27, 2000

10

MEMORANDUM and ORDER denying [5-1] motion for Sanctions and granting [4-1] motion to Dismiss ( signed by Judge Mary M. Lisi ) (Brunelle, E) (Entered: 07/20/2000)

July 20, 2000

July 20, 2000

11

MOTION by Angela Savard, Lisa Ronci, Priscilla Harris, Craig L. Roberts Sr., Rebecca Dorsey, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Robert Dull, Stephanie Clarke, Misty Tolleson, George Barber, William Carcieri, Rebecca Dorsey, Sammy Farland, Steven Fusco, Jeffrey Larisa, Charles Sanchez, Richard Squires, Anita Tarczuk, Nabbil Rashid, Kevin Mancieri to Enlarge Time by 180 days to file class determination (Webb, J) Modified on 07/28/2000 (Entered: 07/28/2000)

July 28, 2000

July 28, 2000

12

Stipulation: The time for the plaintiffs to answer the Interrogatories and for the production of documents may be enlarged to September 30, 2000. (Delano, D) (Entered: 08/11/2000)

Aug. 8, 2000

Aug. 8, 2000

13

OBJECTION by State of Rhode, George Vose, A. T. Wall, William Cudworth, Albert Gardiner, Roberta Richman, Paul M. Kennedy to [11-1] motion to Enlarge Time by 180 days to file class determination (Delano, D) (Entered: 08/15/2000)

Aug. 9, 2000

Aug. 9, 2000

14

ORDER denying [11-1] motion to Enlarge Time by 180 days to file class determination ( signed by Judge Mary M. Lisi ) (Brunelle, E) (Entered: 08/18/2000)

Aug. 18, 2000

Aug. 18, 2000

Rule 16 Conference set 9:15 9/14/00 Before Judge Mary M. Lisi. notices mailed to all parties (Brunelle, E) (Entered: 08/22/2000)

Aug. 22, 2000

Aug. 22, 2000

15

MOTION by Angela Savard, Lisa Ronci, Priscilla Harris, Craig L. Roberts Sr., Rebecca Dorsey, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Robert Dull, Stephanie Clarke, Misty Tolleson, George Barber, William Carcieri, Rebecca Dorsey, Sammy Farland, Steven Fusco, Jeffrey Larisa, Charles Sanchez, Richard Squires, Anita Tarczuk, Nabbil Rashid, Kevin Mancieri for Gregory Bolzlw to Appear Pro Hac Vice (Delano, D) (Entered: 09/14/2000)

Sept. 13, 2000

Sept. 13, 2000

16

AFFIDAVIT by Angela Savard, Lisa Ronci, Priscilla Harris, Craig L. Roberts Sr., Rebecca Dorsey, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Robert Dull, Stephanie Clarke, Misty Tolleson, George Barber, William Carcieri, Rebecca Dorsey, Sammy Farland, Steven Fusco, Jeffrey Larisa, Charles Sanchez, Richard Squires, Anita Tarczuk, Nabbil Rashid, Kevin Mancieri Re: [15-1] motion for Gregory Bolzlw to Appear Pro Hac Vice (Delano, D) (Entered: 09/14/2000)

Sept. 13, 2000

Sept. 13, 2000

Rule 16 Conference held. Thomas Kelly, Gregory Bolzle, Rebecca Partington and Kevin Aucoin for the parties. This case will be held in abeyance until after the Court of appeals issues a decision in the "Roberts" case. (Brunelle, E) (Entered: 09/21/2000)

Sept. 14, 2000

Sept. 14, 2000

17

ORDER granting [15-1] motion for Gregory Bolzle to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( signed by Judge Mary M. Lisi ) (Brunelle, E) (Entered: 09/19/2000)

Sept. 19, 2000

Sept. 19, 2000

19

RETURN OF SERVICE executed as to George Vose 9/15/00 Answer due on 10/5/00 for George Vose (Delano, D) (Entered: 09/21/2000)

Sept. 20, 2000

Sept. 20, 2000

20

OBJECTION by State of Rhode, George Vose, A. T. Wall, William Cudworth, Albert Gardiner, Roberta Richman, Paul M. Kennedy to [18-1] motion to Certify Class (Delano, D) (Entered: 10/02/2000)

Sept. 28, 2000

Sept. 28, 2000

21

Stipulation: The Answer filed by the State of RI shall be considered the Answer of defendants, Vose, Wall, Cudsworth, Gardiner, Richman and Kennedy. No additional Answer is required of these defendants and the Answer is considered timely on behalf of these defendants. (Delano, D) (Entered: 10/03/2000)

Sept. 29, 2000

Sept. 29, 2000

Motion(s) referred to Judge Lisi: [18-1] motion to Certify Class (Brunelle, E) (Entered: 10/02/2000)

Oct. 2, 2000

Oct. 2, 2000

22

MOTION by State of Rhode, George Vose, A. T. Wall, William Cudworth, Albert Gardiner, Roberta Richman, Paul M. Kennedy for Summary Judgment (Delano, D) (Entered: 03/16/2001)

March 15, 2001

March 15, 2001

23

Statement Of Undisputed Fact by State of Rhode, George Vose, A. T. Wall, William Cudworth, Albert Gardiner, Roberta Richman, Paul M. Kennedy RE: [22-1] motion for Summary Judgment (Delano, D) (Entered: 03/16/2001)

March 15, 2001

March 15, 2001

24

ORDER extending the time to and including April 11, 2001 in which plaintiffs' may respond to defendants' motion for summary judgment (signed by Judge Mary M. Lisi) (Brunelle, E) (Entered: 03/29/2001)

March 29, 2001

March 29, 2001

25

OBJECTION by Angela Savard, Lisa Ronci, Priscilla Harris, Craig L. Roberts Sr., Rebecca Dorsey, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Robert Dull, Stephanie Clarke, Misty Tolleson, George Barber, William Carcieri, Rebecca Dorsey, Sammy Farland, Steven Fusco, Jeffrey Larisa, Charles Sanchez, Richard Squires, Anita Tarczuk, Nabbil Rashid, Kevin Mancieri to [22-1] motion for Summary Judgment (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 04/11/2001)

April 11, 2001

April 11, 2001

Motion(s) referred to Judge: [22-1] motion for Summary Judgment (Delano, D) (Entered: 04/11/2001)

April 11, 2001

April 11, 2001

Motion hearing re: [22-1] motion for Summary Judgment at 11:00 5/10/01 (Barletta, B) (Entered: 04/26/2001)

April 26, 2001

April 26, 2001

27

ENTRY of appearance for Lisa Ronci by Edward C. Roy Jr. (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 05/17/2001)

May 14, 2001

May 14, 2001

Motion hearing re: [22-1] motion for Summary Judgment Motion hearing held. Crtrpt: N. O'Rourke. Gregory A. Bolzle and Thomas Kelly for pltf; Rebecca Partington for defendants. Counsel argue motion. Court takes motion under advisement. (Barletta, B) (Entered: 05/15/2001)

May 15, 2001

May 15, 2001

26

Minute entry: Defts' M/SJ hearing (Barletta, B) (Entered: 05/15/2001)

May 15, 2001

May 15, 2001

28

NOTICE of Name Change by Atty Gregory A. Bolzle: last name spelling changed to "Belzley" (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 08/27/2001)

Aug. 27, 2001

Aug. 27, 2001

29

Stipulation that prior to 3/24/00 after a woman was strip searched at the ACI she was placed in the general population in either a sentenced population or an awaiting trial population. (Barletta, B) (Entered: 04/12/2002)

April 12, 2002

April 12, 2002

30

MEMORANDUM and ORDER granting [22-1] motion for Summary Judgment ( signed by Judge Mary M. Lisi ) (Barletta, B) (Entered: 04/12/2002)

April 12, 2002

April 12, 2002

31

MOTION by Angela Savard for a status conference (Barletta, B) (Entered: 04/15/2002)

April 12, 2002

April 12, 2002

32

ORDER granting in part, denying in part [31-1] motion for a status conference; status conference held on 4/10/02 ( signed by Judge Mary M. Lisi ) (Barletta, B) (Entered: 04/15/2002)

April 12, 2002

April 12, 2002

33

JOINT MOTION by Angela Savard, Lisa Ronci, Priscilla Harris, Craig L. Roberts Sr., Rebecca Dorsey, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Robert Dull, Stephanie Clarke, Misty Tolleson, George Barber, William Carcieri, Rebecca Dorsey, Sammy Farland, Steven Fusco, Jeffrey Larisa, Charles Sanchez, Richard Squires, Anita Tarczuk, Nabbil Rashid, Kevin Mancieri, State of Rhode, George Vose, A. T. Wall, William Cudworth, Albert Gardiner, Roberta Richman, Paul M. Kennedy for Entry of Judgment Pursuant to Rule 54 (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 05/03/2002)

May 2, 2002

May 2, 2002

34

JUDGMENT for George Vose, A. T. Wall against Angela Savard, Lisa Ronci, Priscilla Harris, Craig L. Roberts Sr., Rebecca Dorsey, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Robert Dull, Stephanie Clarke, Misty Tolleson, George Barber, William Carcieri, Rebecca Dorsey, Sammy Farland, Steven Fusco, Jeffrey Larisa, Charles Sanchez, Richard Squires, Anita Tarczuk, Nabbil Rashid, Kevin Mancieri ( signed by Judge Mary M. Lisi ) (Barletta, B) (Entered: 05/08/2002)

May 8, 2002

May 8, 2002

Case closed (Barletta, B) (Entered: 05/08/2002)

May 8, 2002

May 8, 2002

35

NOTICE OF APPEAL by Angela Savard, Lisa Ronci, Priscilla Harris, Craig L. Roberts Sr., Rebecca Dorsey, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Robert Dull, Stephanie Clarke, Misty Tolleson, George Barber, William Carcieri, Rebecca Dorsey, Sammy Farland, Steven Fusco, Jeffrey Larisa, Charles Sanchez, Richard Squires, Anita Tarczuk, Nabbil Rashid, Kevin Mancieri . Fee Status: $105.00 paidi. Appeal record due on 6/12/02 (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 05/13/2002)

May 13, 2002

May 13, 2002

USCA appeal fees received $ 105.00 Receipt# 50979 (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 05/13/2002)

May 13, 2002

May 13, 2002

"Transcript Order/Report" attached to pltfs' Notice of Appeal, indicating that "Transcript is unnecessary for appeal purposes" (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 05/13/2002)

May 13, 2002

May 13, 2002

36

CERTIFICATE of Clerk as to Record on Appeal (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 05/13/2002)

May 13, 2002

May 13, 2002

37

NOTICE of Docketing ROA from USCA Re: [35-1] appeal USCA Number: 02-1568 (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 05/23/2002)

May 23, 2002

May 23, 2002

USCA Case Number Re: [35-1] appeal USCA Number: 02-1568 (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 05/23/2002)

May 23, 2002

May 23, 2002

38

SLIP OPINION from USCA (2/11/2003): "The district court's decision granting qualified immunity to the defendants-appellees is REVERSED and the case is REMANDED for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Costs on appeal are awarded to plaintiff-appellants." (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 02/18/2003)

Feb. 13, 2003

Feb. 13, 2003

39

SLIP OPINION from USCA (August 4, 2003): "...the judgment of the district court is affirmed by an equally divided court." (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 08/11/2003)

Aug. 6, 2003

Aug. 6, 2003

40

MANDATE OF USCA (certified copy -- Judgment & Opinions En Banc -- 8/4/03) Re: [35-1] appeal by Kevin Mancieri, Nabbil Rashid, Anita Tarczuk, Richard Squires, Charles Sanchez, Jeffrey Larisa, Steven Fusco, Sammy Farland, Rebecca Dorsey, William Carcieri, George Barber, Misty Tolleson, Stephanie Clarke, Robert Dull, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Rebecca Dorsey, Craig L. Roberts Sr., Priscilla Harris, Lisa Ronci, Angela Savard affirming judgment of the district court (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 08/29/2003)

Aug. 29, 2003

Aug. 29, 2003

Record on appeal returned from U.S. Court of Appeals: [35-1] appeal by Kevin Mancieri, Nabbil Rashid, Anita Tarczuk, Richard Squires, Charles Sanchez, Jeffrey Larisa, Steven Fusco, Sammy Farland, Rebecca Dorsey, William Carcieri, George Barber, Misty Tolleson, Stephanie Clarke, Robert Dull, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Rebecca Dorsey, Craig L. Roberts Sr., Priscilla Harris, Lisa Ronci, Angela Savard (Duhamel, J) (Entered: 09/11/2003)

Sept. 11, 2003

Sept. 11, 2003

Case Details

State / Territory: Rhode Island

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Special Collection(s):

Strip Search Cases

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 30, 2000

Closing Date: 2004

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The arrestees were detained for non-violent, non-drug related minor offenses and, prior to being commingled with the general prison population, were subjected to strip and visual body cavity searches.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Denied

Defendants

State of Rhode Island, State

Rhode Island Department of Corrections (Cranston), State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Unreasonable search and seizure

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

General:

Search policies

Strip search policy

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female

Male

Type of Facility:

Government-run