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Examples of Current Cases
Wrongful Strip Search Cases
Lead Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, L.L.P. Attorneys:
Charles Laduca
Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca, L.L.P. is Co-Lead Counsel in several cases seeking to vindicate individuals charged with petty crimes (non-felonies), who were wrongfully strip searched in violation of their civil rights. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution provides, "The right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." In 1986, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit clarified the meaning of this Fourth Amendment protection in Weber v. Dell, 804 F. 2d 796, ruling that individuals charged with misdemeanors or violations cannot be strip searched absent reasonable suspicion that they possess weapons or contraband.
New York
Buffalo, New York (Erie County):
On July 21, 2004, the firm filed Pritchard, et al., v. The County of Erie, et al., Civil Action No. 04-CV-0534 in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. The case alleges that the civil rights of Adam Pritchard, Edward Robinson, Julenne Tucker and a potential class of thousands of other arrestees were violated when the Erie County Sheriff's Department maintained a policy of strip-searching all persons who entered either the Erie County Holding Center and/or the Erie County Correctional Facility, regardless of the crime upon which they are charged. It is believed that this policy was derived from the written procedures of the Erie County Sheriff's Department, and was promulgated by senior Department officials. The lawsuit alleges that Police Department policies and procedures that require officers to strip search all arrestees are unconstitutional.
Albany, New York (Schenectady County):
Last year, the firm filed McDaniel, et al., v. The County of Schenectady, et al., Civil Action No. 04-CV-00757 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. The case alleges that the civil rights of Nicole McDaniel and a potential class of thousands of other arrestees were violated when the Schenectady County Sheriff's Department maintained a policy of strip-searching all persons who entered either the Schenectady County Holding Center and/or the Schenectady County Correctional Facility, regardless of the crime upon which they are charged. It is believed that this policy was derived from the written procedures of the Schenectady County Sheriff's Department, and was promulgated by senior Department officials. The lawsuit alleges that Police Department policies and procedures that require officers to strip search all arrestees are unconstitutional.
Plattsburgh, New York (Clinton County):
On, February 27, 2006, the firm filed Mitchell, et al., v. The County of Clinton, et al., in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. The case alleges that the civil rights of Phyllis A. Mitchell and a potential class of tens of thousands of other arrestees were violated when the Clinton County Sheriff's Department maintained a policy of strip-searching all persons who entered either the Clinton County Jail, regardless of the crime upon which they are charged. It is believed that this policy was derived from the written procedures of the Clinton County Sheriff's Department, and was promulgated by senior Department officials. The lawsuit alleges that Police Department policies and procedures that require officers to strip search all arrestees are unconstitutional.
Lockport, New York (Niagara County):
On, May 5, 2005, the firm filed Williams, et al., v. The County of Niagara, et al., in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. The case alleges that the civil rights of Dedrick Williams and a potential class of tens of thousands of other arrestees were violated when the Niagara County Sheriff's Department maintained a policy of strip-searching all persons who entered either the Niagara County Jail, regardless of the crime upon which they are charged. It is believed that this policy was derived from the written procedures of the Niagara County Sheriff's Department, and was promulgated by senior Department officials. The lawsuit alleges that Police Department policies and procedures that require officers to strip search all arrestees are unconstitutional.
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ( Philadelphia County):
On, April 21, 2005, the firm filed Boone, et al., v. The City of Philadelphia, et al., Civil Action No. 05: CV-1851 in the United States District Court for the Easter District of Pennsylvania. The case alleges that the civil rights of Nakisha Boone and a potential class of tens of thousands of other arrestees were violated when the Philadelphia County Sheriff's Department maintained a policy of strip-searching all persons who entered either the Philadelphia County Holding Center and/or the Philadelphia County Correctional Facility, regardless of the crime upon which they are charged. It is believed that this policy was derived from the written procedures of the Philadelphia County Sheriff's Department, and was promulgated by senior Department officials. The lawsuit alleges that Police Department policies and procedures that require officers to strip search all arrestees are unconstitutional.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Allegheny County):
On , July 16, 2006, the firm filed Rey, et al., v. The County of Allegheny, et al., in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The case alleges that the civil rights of Michel Rey and a potential class of thousands of other arrestees were violated when the Allegheny County Correctional Facility maintained a policy of strip-searching all persons who entered either the Allegheny County Jail, regardless of the crime upon which they are charged. It is believed that this policy was derived from the written procedures of the Allegheny County Correctional Facility, and was promulgated by senior Department officials. The lawsuit alleges that Police Department policies and procedures that require officers to strip search all arrestees are unconstitutional.
New Jersey
Camden, New Jersey (Camden County):
On, April 8, 2005, the firm filed Hicks, et al., v. The County of Camden, et al., in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The case alleges that the civil rights of Laverne Hicks and Michael Velez and a potential class of thousands of other arrestees were violated when the Camden County Sheriff's Department maintained a policy of strip-searching all persons who entered either the Camden County Holding Center and/or the Camden County Correctional Facility, regardless of the crime upon which they are charged. It is believed that this policy was derived from the written procedures of the Camden County Sheriff's Department, and was promulgated by senior Department officials. The lawsuit alleges that Police Department policies and procedures that require officers to strip search all arrestees are unconstitutional.
Cumberland, New Jersey (Cumberland County):
On, February 7, 2006, the firm filed Suggs, et al., v. The County of Cumberland, et al., Civil Action No. 06-CV-87 in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The case alleges that the civil rights of William Suggs and a potential class of thousands of other arrestees were violated when the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department maintained a policy of strip-searching all persons who entered the Cumberland County Correctional Facility, regardless of the crime upon which they are charged. It is believed that this policy was derived from the written procedures of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department, and was promulgated by senior Department officials. The lawsuit alleges that Police Department policies and procedures that require officers to strip search all arrestees are unconstitutional.
Gloucester, New Jersey (Gloucester County):
On, March 21, 2006, the firm filed Wilson, et al., v. The County of Gloucester, et al., in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The case alleges that the civil rights of Sandra King Wilson and Joseph DePietro and a potential class of thousands of other arrestees were violated when the Gloucester County Sheriff's Department maintained a policy of strip-searching all persons who entered the Gloucester County Department of Corrections, regardless of the crime upon which they are charged. It is believed that this policy was derived from the written procedures of the Gloucester County Sheriff's Department, and was promulgated by senior Department officials. The lawsuit alleges that Police Department policies and procedures that require officers to strip search all arrestees are unconstitutional.
Trenton, New Jersey (Mercer County):
On, May 5, 2006, the firm filed Trafford Boisselle, et al., v. The County of Mercer, et al., in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The case alleges that the civil rights of Trafford Boisselle and a potential class of tens of thousands of other arrestees were violated when the Mercer County Sheriff's Department maintained a policy of strip-searching all persons who entered either the Mercer County Jail, regardless of the crime upon which they are charged. It is believed that this policy was derived from the written procedures of the Mercer County Sheriff's Department, and was promulgated by senior Department officials. The lawsuit alleges that Police Department policies and procedures that require officers to strip search all arrestees are unconstitutional.
Click here to read the class action complaint. (.pdf)
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