A federal court jury found in favor of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Friday in a case involving alleged wrongdoing by sheriff's deputies and social workers from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
The lawsuit alleged that deputies and social workers entered the plaintiff’s residence in Palmdale without permission, and that an interview and search of a child was conducted without legal justification on December 2, 2008. The lawsuit further alleged that the deputies and social workers violated the plaintiff’s civil rights, and acted with malice and the intent to harass the plaintiffs.
The County of Los Angeles took the position that its employees were responding in good faith to allegations of child abuse and conducted a routine investigation which lasted no longer than necessary to conclude that no abuse had occurred.
The 8-member federal civil jury deliberated for nine hours before delivering a unanimous verdict of no liability on the part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
Case # CV10-9158 SVW, Smalls v. County of Los Angeles: The federal court jury returned a verdict for the defense on Friday, January 20, 2012. The law firm representing the County of Los Angeles was Peterson, Bradford and Burkwitz.
Captain Mike Parker
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Sheriff Leroy D. Baca
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