CIVIL RIGHTS

Plaintiffs went to a designated practice shooting area in the mountains in order to practice shooting their assorted rifles. After a night of camping and 2 days of practicing, they were confronted by local law enforcement and told to vacate the premises. After showing their permits and other documents as requested, the law enforcement officers left. The following day the officers returned with trained dogs and plaintiffs were again asked to cease using their rifles and leave the area. Plaintiffs were told that shooting in this location was prohibited. Plaintiffs refused to go claiming they had a right to be there. Plaintiff hid under their truck, while his sons were arrested and handcuffed. The dogs were released and severely bit plaintiff up and down his arms and leg resulting in hospitalization, surgery and multiple deep scars requiring substantial and costly cosmetic surgery. A lawsuit alleging excessive force (assault and battery), personal injuries, civil rights violations and related causes of action was filed in State Court, removed to Federal Court, and settled on the brink of trial in mediation.

Plaintiff, a single mother, was accused by a County Child Protective Service (CPS) worker of intentionally withholding food from her child and retarding his growth, in order to inflict emotional distress upon the child’s father during a custody battle. Without a warrant or prior notice, and under the pretext that the mother was suffering from a mental illness, CPS workers removed the infant from the mother’s care and placed the child with the father. Family Court approved of the transfer. Plaintiff denied all allegations and filed a civil rights complaint against the County and the CPS workers arguing that her 4th Amendment Rights had been violated and that she was the victim of disability discrimination.