Allegheny County (PA) agrees to $3 million strip-search payment

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Allegheny County (PA) agrees to $3 million strip-search payment

Posted: 9/14/2010 12:01:54 PM EDT

Almost
13,000 people who were strip-searched at Allegheny County Jail are
eligible to share in a $3 million settlement of a federal class action
suit.

The county and lawyers for the plaintiffs have agreed to the
settlement. Both parties are expected to ask U.S. District Judge
Terrence F. McVerry to approve the agreement today.

The attorneys' share of the settlement will be no more than
one-third of the amount, or $1 million. Individual plaintiffs will
receive a maximum of $3,000.

The suit has resulted in a procedural change at the jail. Since
March 18, 2008, people arrested on minor criminal charges are no longer
strip-searched unless there is a "reasonable suspicion" that they are
holding illegal drugs or other forbidden items.

New equipment has been installed at the jail that can detect traces
of contraband. Positive readings on that chemical-sensing machinery can
be used as evidence of "reasonable suspicion," according to county
spokeswoman Megan Dardanell.

People included in the class were those who were accused of summary
offenses, misdemeanors and traffic offenses and strip searched at the
jail between July 13, 2004, and March 18, 2008.

While it has changed procedures, the county has admitted no
wrongdoing, but has agreed to settle "in order to avoid the time,
expense and inherent uncertainties of defending protracted litigation."

Posted: 9/14/2010 12:08:52 PM EDT

[#1]

3 million - 1 million lawyers fees / 13000 = 153$ per person. Don't spend it all in one place.

Posted: 9/14/2010 12:10:58 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
3 million - 1 million lawyers fees / 13000 = 153$ per person. Don't spend it all in one place.

It's good to be king.

Posted: 9/14/2010 12:16:34 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
3 million - 1 million lawyers fees / 13000 = 153$ per person. Don't spend it all in one place.

That's just the number eligible. I'd be surprised if 5,000 took the offer. Then your per price jumps to like what, $400?

Posted: 9/14/2010 12:20:15 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

Quoted:
3 million - 1 million lawyers fees / 13000 = 153$ per person. Don't spend it all in one place.

That's just the number eligible. I'd be surprised if 5,000 took the offer. Then your per price jumps to like what, $400?

So, is $500 worth admitting that some dipshit cops gave you a fisting for a parking ticket?

Posted: 9/14/2010 12:22:34 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

Quoted:
3 million - 1 million lawyers fees / 13000 = 153$ per person. Don't spend it all in one place.

That's just the number eligible. I'd be surprised if 5,000 took the offer. Then your per price jumps to like what, $400?

So, is $500 worth admitting that some dipshit cops gave you a fisting for a parking ticket?

Shit, not to a smart Kansas boy but you never know with those Pennsylvanians!

Posted: 9/14/2010 12:33:11 PM EDT

[#6]

Sounds like a crock of shit to me. Why shouldn't a secure facility be allowed to use a strip search to make sure hidden weapons, cuff keys, drugs, cell phones, etc, etc, aren't coming in? Sounds like the good guys job just got harder.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 9/14/2010 12:44:46 PM EDT

[#7]

This type of behavior will stop when Police Pension Funds bear the brunt of settlements-not the taxpayers.

Posted: 9/14/2010 2:14:54 PM EDT

[#8]

That machine will last until somebody sues because they got strip searched because they were sitting next to the crack head.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Allegheny County (PA) agrees to $3 million strip-search payment

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