If You Were Admitted Into The City of Chester Cell Block Area From February 25, 2017 Through December 9, 2020 For a Summary Offense Or A Misdemeanor Offense Not Involving Violence, Possession/Use Of A Weapon, Or Possession Of A Controlled Substance Other Than Marijuana For Personal Use And Were Strip Searched Upon Arrival, You May Be Entitled to Benefits from a Class Action Settlement.
The City of Chester Pennsylvania has reportedly agreed to a class action settlement of a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, styled Pitney v. City of Chester, Civil Case No. 2:19-cv-799, alleging, among other things, that the City of Chester illegally strip searched individuals upon their admission to the City of Chester cell block who were charged solely with summary offenses (such as disorderly conduct or public drunkenness, traffic infractions, and/or civil commitments), or misdemeanor offenses not involving violence, weapons, or drugs other than possession of a small amount of marijuana in violation of the unreasonable search provisions of the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions. The City of Chester reportedly denied that it did anything wrong.
Who Is Included In The City of Chester Police Department Strip Search Class Action Settlement?
The City of Chester Police Department Strip Search class action settlement reportedly includes, unless otherwise excluded, the following settlement class:
All persons who have been (1) detained in a holding cell at the City of Chester Police Department (2) as a result of being arrested and/or charged with summary offenses, civil enforcement offenses, child support enforcement arrears, traffic offenses, disorderly conduct offenses, contempt proceedings, non-violent misdemeanor offenses in which a weapon was not utilized nor brandished and/or no injury was caused to an individual, misdemeanors not involving drugs or controlled substances (exclusive of possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use), failure to pay financial fines, penalties and/or costs in like matters as set forth above; and/or failure to appear at any court proceedings on like matters as set forth above; and (3) who were strip searched upon their entry into detainment and/or custody and/or were strip searched prior to an appearance before a judge or judicial officer who had the authority to release the person as referred to above from detainment and/or custody; and (4) the strip search was conducted and/or performed pursuant to the City of Chester’s strip search policy regardless of circumstances indicative of reasonable suspicion
The strip search settlement reportedly does not cover individuals charged with a felony, violent misdemeanor, misdemeanor drug offenses other than possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use at the time of their entry into the City of Chester cell block, or anyone who entered the cell block facility after being convicted of (as compared to only being charged with) a crime.
What Settlement Benefits Does The City of Chester Police Department Strip Search Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Provide?
Under the City of Chester strip search class action settlement, each Class Member, with a Summary as their highest graded offense who submits a timely Claim Form will be entitled to receive $1,000.00. Class Members arrested and housed in the cell block area on a highest graded offense which constitutes a misdemeanor, except those misdemeanors involving drug offenses or violent offenses involving physical harm to an individual or use/possession of a weapon of any kind, who submits a timely Claim Form will be entitled to receive $400.00. Class Members arrested and housed for possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use will be entitled to a receive $100.00.
Claim forms must be submitted online or via mail by July 3, 2021.
Where Can You Obtain More Information About The City of Chester Police Department Strip Search Class Action Settlement?
For more information about the City of Chester Strip Search class action settlement, write to Pitney v Chester Settlement Administrator, c/o Rust Consulting, Inc. – 7225, PO Box 44, Minneapolis MN 55440-0044, call 1-866-647-4187, or visit the City of Chester Strip Search class action settlement website at https://cityofchesterstripsearch.com/