Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Nieves v. Bartlett, 139 S. Ct. 1715 (2019), in which it held that the existence of probable cause to arrest defeats a claim of retaliatory arrest. The only exception is where the plaintiff can prove that the police almost never arrest for the particular offense…
Read MoreSeveral years ago, three City of Joliet police officers stopped a driver for having a broken tail light, wrote him a ticket for that infraction and another for an open bottle of vodka, and towed the car because of the open alcohol. The driver later filed a ten-count, thirty-page federal civil rights lawsuit against the…
Read MoreUpdate on Recent COVID-19 Prison Litigation: Money, et al. v. Pritzker, et al. and Mays, et al. v. Dart, et al. [DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this blog post should be construed as legal or medical advice. Be sure to follow all CDC, IDPH, and IDOC guidance regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic. HC&B is also available for consultation…
Read MoreLessons from Leading Sheriffs [DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this blog post should be construed as legal or medical advice. Be sure to follow all CDC, IDPH, and IDOC guidance regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic. HC&B is also available for consultation regarding risk management and litigation in this uncertain time.] In Part 1 of our discussion, we…
Read MorePart 1: Recent COVID-19 Prison Litigation Money, et al. v. Pritzker, et al.; Mays, et al. v. Dart, et al. COVID-19 has upended the normal functioning of everyday life for most people. The federal government and the State of Illinois have recommended wearing protective facial coverings, recommended social distancing measures, and required non-essential personnel…
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