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Case ID: 2573 | Civil Rights | 09/01/2004
Two class actions have been filed against the City of Detroit on behalf of persons who allege that they were arrested unlawfully in police murder investigations in violation of their civil rights. The actions seek unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
The actions allege that any time the police investigated a murder, they would routinely place under arrest any potential witnesses, sometimes keeping them in jail for days without formally charging them. The practice has now been abandoned-- under a June 2003 agreement with the federal government that ended a 30-month investigation of police practices, material witnesses can now be jailed only if investigators obtain a court order. More than 100 people have sued privately, claiming their civil rights were violated under the policy. As of July 2003, the city had paid approximately $3.4 million to settle some of those private actions. The two class actions are not a part of those settlements. The private actions originated with the case of Janetta Toles, who was detained for four days while investigators allegedly asked her about a deadly 1997 drive-by shooting. Though she won her case and was awarded $300,000 by a jury, she settled with the city for $200,000 to avoid an appeal of the action. During that trial, investigators testified they knew they were violating her rights by holding her. They also said the homicide squad routinely detained witnesses. At Lawcash.com, it is our goal to keep you informed about important legal cases, class actions and settlements. Our lawyers offer free legal evaluations in tort cases, class actions, personal injury, and other lawsuits because we are dedicated to helping you resolve your legal complaints. Other Civil Rights Cases of Interest A collective action has been filed in South Carolina against the Aiken County Public Schools. The action is brought on behalf of all former and current employees who have worked in excess of 40 hours a week, but who have not been paid overtime by Aiken County. The action is brought under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and is seeking back pay as damages. A statewide collective action has been filed in Florida against A.M.A. Pretzels II, Inc., who conduct business under the name Auntie Anne's Pretzels. The action is brought on behalf of all current and former employees, who since April 2001, were not paid proper statutory overtime for all hours worked beyond 40 per week. The action is brought under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and seeks statutory and liquidated damages as well as declaratory and injunctive relief. As a collective action, all potential claimants are required to "opt-in" to the action in order to be considered part of the class. The employees have requested that the court issue notice to all potential class members. Trucking has always been regarded as a predominantly male occupation, but women employed at trucking giant CH Robinson Worldwide claim that the company and it's male employees created an environment that crossed the legal boundary into active discrimination. A class action lawsuit filed against the company alleges that women were not paid as well or promoted to supervisory jobs as often as men, even though they were equally qualified. The suit also contends that the work environment at CH Robinson was extremely hostile to women as a result of lewd behavior on the part of male employees, including branch managers. A hearing on class certification in this gender discrimination suit was held in late November, 2004. At this time of this report a ruling had not yet been issued. If the class is certified as many as 2,000 current and former sales, operation and support workers would be able to sue the Minnesota based company. Federal civil rights law gives you the right to sue if you are discriminated against on the basis of your race, color, national origin, or gender. The class has been certified in a class action filed against Combined Insurance Company of America on behalf of current and former female sales agents and managers who, after March 8, 2002, were members of Combined's "Seventh Essential Enhanced Sales Force." The action alleges that Combined has engaged in a pattern or practice of sex discrimination toward and sexual harassment of women in violation of Title VII of the federal 1964 Civil Rights Act.
A collective action has been filed in Alabama against the Shelby County Board of Education. The action is brought on behalf of all former and current employees who have worked in excess of 40 hours a week, but who have not been paid overtime by Aiken County. The action is brought under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and is seeking back pay as damages. A collective action has been filed in Louisiana against the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board. The action is brought on behalf of all former and current employees who have worked in excess of 40 hours a week, but who have not been paid overtime by St. John. The action is brought under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and is seeking back pay, statutory and liquidated damages. As a collective action, all potential claimants are required to "opt-in" to the action in order to be considered eligible claimants. The employees have requested that the court issue notice to all potential claimants. |
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