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This settlement is closed!
Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!
UPDATE:
- A judge granted final approval on May 19, 2021.
Individuals who were detained for nonviolent offenses and strip-searched at the Chester, Pennsylvania, Police Department may be entitled to compensation thanks to a class action settlement.
The Class is defined as anyone who, between Feb. 25, 2017, and Dec. 9, 2020, was detained in a holding cell at the Chester Police Department as a result of being arrested and/or charged with any of the following and were who were strip-searched when entering detainment and/or custody and/or were strip-searched before an appearance before a judge or judicial officer who had the authority to release the person from detainment and/or custody, and the strip search was conducted pursuant to Chester’s strip-search policy regardless of circumstances indicative of reasonable suspicion:
- Summary offenses
- Civil enforcement offenses
- Child support enforcement arrears
- Traffic offenses
- Disorderly conduct offenses
- Contempt proceedings
- Nonviolent misdemeanors in which a weapon was not used nor brandished and/or no injury was caused
- Misdemeanors not involving drugs or controlled substances (exclusive of possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use)
- Failure to pay fines, penalties and/or costs in such matters
- Failure to appear at any court proceedings on such matters
Class Members who pleaded guilty to those charges are eligible to participate in the strip-search settlement.
However, individuals who were charged with felonies, violent misdemeanors, and similar charges are not eligible to take part in the settlement.
The plaintiff in a class action lawsuit claims the city illegally strip-searched people entering detainment who were charged solely with summary or misdemeanor offenses that did not involve weapons, drugs, or violence.
These searches allegedly violated the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions.
The city denies any wrongdoing but has agreed to a settlement to end the litigation.
Each Class Member submitting a timely claim form will be eligible for a payment according to the following terms:
- Summary offenses: $1,000
- Nonviolent misdemeanors not involving drugs, weapons, or physical harm: $400
- Misdemeanor possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use: $100
No Class Member is entitled to more than their share, regardless of how many times they were booked or subject to a strip search.
Class Members who owe child support, fines, or court costs will have this payment credited toward that debt.
A fairness hearing in the Chester strip search settlement is scheduled for May 17, 2021.
The deadline to object to or opt out of the settlement has passed.
The deadline to file a claim is July 3, 2021.
Who’s Eligible
The Class is defined as anyone who, between Feb. 25, 2017, and Dec. 9, 2020, was detained in a holding cell at the Chester Police Department as a result of being arrested and/or charged with any of the following and were who were strip-searched when entering detainment and/or custody and/or were strip-searched before an appearance before a judge or judicial officer who had the authority to release the person from detainment and/or custody, and the strip search was conducted pursuant to Chester’s strip-search policy regardless of circumstances indicative of reasonable suspicion:
- Summary offenses
- Civil enforcement offenses
- Child support enforcement arrears
- Traffic offenses
- Disorderly conduct offenses
- Contempt proceedings
- Nonviolent misdemeanors in which a weapon was not used nor brandished and/or no injury was caused
- Misdemeanors not involving drugs or controlled substances (exclusive of possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use)
- Failure to pay fines, penalties and/or costs in such matters
- Failure to appear at any court proceedings on such matters
Class Members who pleaded guilty to those charges are eligible to participate in the strip-search settlement.
However, individuals who were charged with felonies, violent misdemeanors, and similar charges are not eligible to take part in the settlement.
Potential Award
Up to $1,000.
- Each Class Member submitting a timely claim form will be eligible for a payment according to the following terms:
- Summary offenses: $1,000
- Nonviolent misdemeanors not involving drugs, weapons, or physical harm: $400
- Misdemeanor possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use: $100
- No Class Member is entitled to more than their share, regardless of how many times they were booked or subject to a strip search.
- Class Members who owe child support, fines, or court costs will have this payment credited toward that debt.
Proof of Strip Search
The claim form will ask the claimant, under penalty of perjury, to affirm they were strip-searched during the admission process at the Chester cell block. If the Class Member’s name is not in the city’s records, they may be asked to provide additional documentation.
- A strip search occurred if, during the admission process, the Class Member was ordered to remove or rearrange your clothing for a visual inspection of your undergarments, buttocks, anus, genitals and/or breasts.
- A strip search did not occur if the clothing removal or rearrangement was reasonably necessary in order to render medical treatment or assistance.
Claim Form
NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.
Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Claim Form Deadline
07/03/2021
Case Name
Pitney, et al. v. City of Chester, Case No. 2:19-cv-799 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Final Hearing
05/17/2021
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
Pitney v. Chester Settlement Administrator
c/o Rust Consulting, Inc. – 7225
P.O. Box 44
Minneapolis MN 55440-0044
1-866-647-4187
Class Counsel
Patrick Geckle
THE LAW OFFICES OF PATRICK G. GECKLE LLC
Alan M. Feldman
Edward S. Goldis
Andrew K. Mitnick
FELDMAN SHEPHERD WOHLGELERNTER TANNER WEINSTOCK & DODIG LLP
Defense Counsel
BENNETT, BRICKLIN, & SALTZBURG LLC
MACMAIN, CONNELL & LEINHAUSER LLC
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One thought on Chester, Pennsylvania, Strip Search Class Action Settlement
I never got my money and I filed my claim and have proof