Case: Rodriguez v. Stanislaus County

1:90-cv-00601 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Filed Date: Sept. 26, 1990

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On September 26, 1990, prisoners in the Stanislaus County jail system filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against the county and the county sheriff, challenging their conditions of confinement. The prisoners, represented by the Prisoner Rights Union and private counsel, brought suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging a violation of their rights under the Eight Amendment. Specifically, they claimed that the county jails were overcrowded an…

On September 26, 1990, prisoners in the Stanislaus County jail system filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against the county and the county sheriff, challenging their conditions of confinement. The prisoners, represented by the Prisoner Rights Union and private counsel, brought suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging a violation of their rights under the Eight Amendment. Specifically, they claimed that the county jails were overcrowded and, among other things, provided inadequate access to law libraries and to medical, dental and mental health care. Plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief.

On October 12, 1990, the plaintiffs moved the District Court for a preliminary injunction, and on February 27, 1991, following discovery, the Court (Chief Judge Robert E. Coyle) adopted the recommendations of Magistrate Judge John F. Moulds and granted a limited injunction, prohibiting prisoners from being bedded on the floor, prohibiting the addition of more beds to the prison during the case, and authorizing the Sheriff to release prisoners when the jail was 90% full. The Court also certified the case as a class action.

The parties began negotiations to settle the case in 1991, and in March 1992 they came to an agreement. Like the preliminary injunction, the settlement enjoined the County from bedding prisoners on the floor and allowed the Sheriff to deny new prisoners and release current prisoners when the jail came within ten percent of its maximum capacity; in addition, it settlement also addressed issued with law library access and medical, dental and mental health care. It applied to the Men's Jail, the Public Safety Center, the Men's Honor Farm, and the Female Facility (closed in 1993).

The Court (Judge Oliver W. Wanger) approved the settlement and terminated the case on May 4, 1992. Three days later, the Court (Magistrate Judge Moulds) ordered defendants to pay plaintiffs' attorney fees.

In 2008, a class member filed a motion seeking enforcement of the settlement, but the Court referred the movant to class counsel. The settlement was still in effect in 2012, and played a part in the County's application for state funds to finance an expansion of its jail facilities.

Summary Authors

Christopher Schad (7/20/2012)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5786944/parties/pc-rodriquez-v-stanislaus-county/


Judge(s)

Coyle, Robert Everett (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Comiskey, Paul Wayne (California)

Goodfellow, James F. (California)

Herman, Richard P. (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Hagar, John H. Jr. (California)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1:90-cv-00601

Docket (PACER)

June 18, 2008

June 18, 2008

Docket

1:90-cv-00601

First Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Class Action

Rodriguez v. Stanislaus

Dec. 19, 1990

Dec. 19, 1990

Complaint
28

1:90-cv-00601

Findings and Recommendations

Rodriguez v. Stanislaus

Jan. 10, 1991

Jan. 10, 1991

Order/Opinion
33

1:90-cv-00601

Order Re: Preliminary Injunction and Class Certification

Rodriguez v. Stanislaus

Feb. 25, 1991

Feb. 25, 1991

Order/Opinion

Stanislaus County's Application for State Funding for Jail Extension Project

Rodriguez v. Stanislaus

No Court

Jan. 10, 2012

Jan. 10, 2012

Other

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5786944/pc-rodriquez-v-stanislaus-county/

Last updated April 7, 2025, 1:35 p.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Sept. 26, 1990

COMPLAINT for Declaratory Relief and Injunctive Relief to Magistrate John F. Moulds Summons issued; fee status pd; Receipt # 130040; Notice re: Consent forms. (old) (Entered: 10/02/1990)

PACER
2 Oct. 2, 1990

NOTICE of Transfer of action to Sacramento; case referred to Magistrate Moulds; case sent to Staff Attorney. (old) (Entered: 10/02/1990)

PACER
3 Oct. 12, 1990

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION by plaintiff Alex Rodriquez, plaintiff George Butler, plaintiff Lorraine Fountaine for preliminary injunction set for 11/15/90 @ 9:00 ; points and authorities and declarations in support thereof. (old) Modified on 10/16/1990 (Entered: 10/15/1990)

PACER
4 Oct. 12, 1990

LODGED proposed preliminary injunction (old) (Entered: 10/15/1990)

PACER
5 Oct. 12, 1990

PROOF OF SERVICE by plaintiff Alex Rodriquez, plaintiff George Butler, plaintiff Lorraine Fountaine of lodged [4−1], motion for preliminary injunction set for 11/15/90 @ 9:00 [3−1], notice [2−1], complaint [1−1] (old) Modified on 10/16/1990 (Entered: 10/15/1990)

PACER
6 Oct. 15, 1990

ANSWER by defendant County of Stanislaus, defendant Jim Trevena (old) (Entered: 10/30/1990)

PACER
7 Nov. 1, 1990

MEMORANDUM by defendant County of Stanislaus, defendant Jim Trevena in opposition to plaintiff's motion for class certification; motion for more definate statement set for 11/15/90 @ 9:00 (old) (Entered: 11/02/1990)

PACER
8 Nov. 1, 1990

OBJECTIONS to Evidence by defendant County of Stanislaus, defendant Jim Trevena to (old) (Entered: 11/02/1990)

PACER
9 Nov. 1, 1990

MOTION by defendant County of Stanislaus, defendant Jim Trevena to strike portions of plaintiffs' points and authorities set for 11/15/90 @ 9:00. (old) (Entered: 11/02/1990)

PACER
10 Nov. 1, 1990

APPENDIX OF DECLARATIONS re motion for preliminary injunction set for 11/15/90 @ 9:00 [3−1] (old) (Entered: 11/02/1990)

PACER
11 Nov. 1, 1990

MEMORANDUM by defendant County of Stanislaus, defendant Jim Trevena in opposition to motion for preliminary injunction set for 11/15/90 @ 9:00 [3−1] (old) (Entered: 11/02/1990)

PACER
Nov. 1, 1990

LODGED proposed order denying class certification. (old) (Entered: 11/02/1990)

PACER
Nov. 1, 1990

LODGED proposed order granting defendatns' motion to strike. (old) (Entered: 11/02/1990)

PACER
Nov. 1, 1990

LODGED order denying plaintiffs' motion for Preliminary injunction (old) (Entered: 11/02/1990)

PACER
12 Nov. 9, 1990

SUPPLEMENTAL Exhibits by plaintiff Alex Rodriquez, plaintiff George Butler, plaintiff Lorraine Fountaine (old) (Entered: 11/09/1990)

PACER
13 Nov. 9, 1990

REPLY by plaintiff Alex Rodriquez, plaintiff George Butler, plaintiff Lorraine Fountaine to response to motion for preliminary injunction set for 11/15/90 @ 9:00 [3−1] (old) (Entered: 11/09/1990)

PACER
14 Nov. 9, 1990

EXHIBIT list of 1a Jail Roster including inamtes sleeping on floor by plaintiff Alex Rodriquez, plaintiff George Butler, plaintiff Lorraine Fountaine (old)

PACER
16 Nov. 15, 1990

DECLARATION of John Hagar re prisoner characteristics in the Mens jail re motion for preliminary injunction set for 11/15/90 @ 9:00 [3−1] (old) (Entered: 11/15/1990)

PACER
17 Nov. 19, 1990

MINUTES of plaintiff's motion to certify Class, motion submitted; court to prepare order. (old) (Entered: 11/19/1990)

PACER
18 Nov. 21, 1990

PLAINTIFFS'SUPPLEMENTAL EXHIBIT IN SUPPORT by plaintiff Alex Rodriquez, plaintiff George Butler, plaintiff Lorraine Fountaine re motion for preliminary injunction set for 11/15/90 @ 9:00 [3−1] (old) (Entered: 11/21/1990)

PACER
19 Nov. 28, 1990

OBJECTIONS by defendant County of Stanislaus, defendant Jim Trevena to supplemental [18−1] made after motion submitted to court. (old) (Entered: 11/28/1990)

PACER
Nov. 28, 1990

entry 20 was a duplicative entry of [19−1] (old) Modified on 04/01/1993 (Entered: 11/28/1990)

PACER
21 Dec. 13, 1990

STATUS REPORT by defendant County of Stanislaus, defendant Jim Trevena (old) (Entered: 12/13/1990)

PACER
22 Dec. 17, 1990

SUPPLEMENT declarations in support by plaintiff Alex Rodriquez, plaintiff George Butler, plaintiff Lorraine Fountaine re motion for preliminary injunction set for 11/15/90 @ 9:00 [3−1] (old) (Entered: 12/17/1990)

PACER
23 Dec. 26, 1990

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION by plaintiff Alex Rodriquez, plaintiff George Butler, plaintiff Lorraine Fountaine to amend complaint set for 1/31/91 @ 9:00 (old) (Entered: 12/27/1990)

PACER
24 Dec. 26, 1990

NOTICE by defendant County of Stanislaus, defendant Jim Trevena of non opposition to plaintiffs' motion to amend complaint. (old) (Entered: 12/27/1990)

PACER
Dec. 26, 1990

LODGED First Amended complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief. (old) (Entered: 12/27/1990)

PACER
25 Jan. 2, 1991

OBJECTIONS by defendant County of Stanislaus, defendant Jim Trevena to declaration [16−1] after motion was submitted. (old) (Entered: 01/03/1991)

PACER
26 Jan. 4, 1991

LETTER to court from Mike Hagar regarding the request for status conference on two issues: Medical discovery and Law library. (old) (Entered: 01/08/1991)

PACER
27 Jan. 10, 1991

ORDER by Magistrate John F. Moulds granting motion to amend complaint set for 1/31/91 @ 9:00 [23−1] (cc: all counsel) (old) (Entered: 01/10/1991)

PACER
28 Jan. 10, 1991

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION concerning motion for preliminary injunction set for 11/15/90 @ 9:00 [3−1]; recommending granting class certification, no prisoners will be bedded on the floor pending outcome of action, no beds will be added during action, Sheriff has permission to release prisoners when the prison is 90% full, all other respects to the injunctive relief motion will be denied. (cc: all counsel) (old) (Entered: 01/10/1991)

PACER
29 Jan. 10, 1991

FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief [1−1] by plaintiff Alex Rodriquez, plaintiff George Butler, plaintiff Lorraine Fountaine (old) (Entered: 01/10/1991)

PACER
30 Jan. 18, 1991

OBJECTIONS by defendant Stanislaus County, defendant Jim Trevena to Report and Recommendation [28−1] (old) (Entered: 01/18/1991)

PACER
31 Feb. 1, 1991

MINUTES of status conference parties to meet and confer. (old) (Entered: 02/04/1991)

PACER
32 Feb. 19, 1991

TRANSMITTAL of documents recd orig file from Sacto w/ord denying prelim for EDP; forward to EDP (old) (Entered: 02/20/1991)

PACER
34 Feb. 28, 1991

ORDER by Senior Judge Edward D. Price Case reassigned from EDP to Chief Judge Robert E. Coyle Case now is CVF 90−601−REC−JFM−P (cc: all counsel) (old) (Entered: 02/28/1991)

PACER
35 March 5, 1991

RECEIPT of case file from Fresno for further consideration (old) (Entered: 03/06/1991)

PACER
36 March 28, 1991

ORDER Status conference set for Thursday 5/9/91 at 9:00 am before Magistrate John F Moulds (cc: all counsel) (kh) (Entered: 03/28/1991)

PACER
37 April 4, 1991

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff Alex Rodriquez, plaintiff George Butler, plaintiff Lorraine Fountaine in support class notice. (old) (Entered: 04/04/1991)

PACER
38 May 13, 1991

MINUTE ORDER by Deputy Clerk: Scheduling conf CONTINUED to 6/6/91 at 9:00 am before JFM (cc: all counsel) (kh) (Entered: 05/13/1991)

PACER
39 June 5, 1991

SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM by plaintiff Alex Rodriquez re posting. support (old) (Entered: 06/06/1991)

PACER
40 June 6, 1991

MINUTES of status conference: Case to be set for settlement conference. (old) (Entered: 06/07/1991)

PACER
June 18, 1991

LODGED Notice of class action. (old) (Entered: 06/24/1991)

PACER
41 Aug. 13, 1991

NOTICE by plaintiff Alex Rodriquez, plaintiff George Butler, plaintiff Lorraine Fountaine of change of address of change of address for Paul Comiskey to 2310 J Street P.O. BOX 1019 Sacramento ca 95814 (old) (Entered: 08/13/1991)

PACER
42 Oct. 15, 1991

ORDER by Magistrate John F. Moulds ; Settlement conference set for 12/4/91 @ 2:30 before GGH (cc: all counsel) (old) (Entered: 10/15/1991)

PACER
43 Nov. 15, 1991

ORDER by Magistrate John F. Moulds; settlement conference is set for 12/4/91 @ 2:30 before GGH; if the case settles, parties are directed to inform chambers ; Scheduling conf set for 12/4/91 @ 4:00 (cc: all counsel) (old) (Entered: 11/15/1991)

PACER
44 Dec. 3, 1991

NOTICE by plaintiff Lorraine Fountaine, plaintiff George Butler, plaintiff Alex Rodriquez of association of attorney James F Goodfellow (old) (Entered: 12/03/1991)

PACER
Dec. 4, 1991

LODGED Stipulation for continuance of settlement conference and status conference to 2/5/92; proposed order thereon (old) Modified on 12/06/1991 (Entered: 12/04/1991)

PACER
45 Dec. 6, 1991

STIPULATION and ORDER by Magistrate Gregory G. Hollows: granting lodged Stipulation of 12/4/91 Scheduling conf continued to 2/5/92 at 4:30 before JFM; Settlement conference continued to 2/5/92 at 2:30 before GGH (cc: all counsel) (old) (Entered: 12/06/1991)

PACER
April 27, 1992

MAIL to Fresno Office: original case file in 2 volumes, docket sheet, transmittal letter and stipulation (old) (Entered: 04/27/1992)

PACER
46 April 29, 1992

TRANSMITTAL of documents recd orig file (2vols) from Sacto, forwarded to Judge Wanger ofc per note from Sacto (old) (Entered: 04/29/1992)

PACER
47 May 4, 1992

Order Re: Stipulated CONSENT JUDGMENT by Judge Wanger terminating case (cc: all counsel) (old) (Entered: 05/05/1992)

PACER
48 May 7, 1992

ORDER by Magistrate John F Moulds ORDERING: defendants are directed to pay plaintiffs attorneys' fees in the agreed sum (cc: all counsel) (old) (Entered: 05/07/1992)

PACER
49 July 20, 1992

LETTER to court from John Hagar RE: procedure for class approval of settlement (old) (Entered: 07/21/1992)

PACER
March 11, 1993

MAIL to Sacramento Office case file in 2 vol to the attn: of Tim. Also certified copy of the docket sheet (lm) (Entered: 03/11/1993)

PACER
March 15, 1993

MAIL from Fresno Office CONSISTING of transmittal letter, docket sheet, case file in 2 volumes (docs 1−48) attn: Haven (old) (Entered: 03/15/1993)

PACER
April 1, 1993

MAIL to Fresno Office CONSISTING of transmittal letter, docket sheet, case file in 2 volumes (docs 1−49) and proposed DISPOSITIONAL order for Judge Oliver Wanger (old) (Entered: 04/01/1993)

PACER
April 8, 1993

MAIL from Sacramento Office: original case file (2 vols, doc's 1 − 49) and forwarded to chambers (old) (Entered: 04/09/1993)

PACER
April 8, 1993

MAIL from Sacramento Office: original case file (3 vols, doc's 1−118) and forwarded to chambers (old) (Entered: 04/09/1993)

PACER
50 April 19, 1993

ORDER by Judge Wanger: 10 days defendant shall post jdugment in accordance with secton VII of order filed 5/4/92. Within 30 days written objections may be file. If no objections judgment will become final. Case mgmt ddl 5/24/93, no objections to 50 , judgment becomes final (cc: all counsel) (old) (Entered: 04/19/1993)

PACER
April 19, 1993

MAIL to Sacramento Office: returned to Sacramento (2 vols, doc's 1 − 50) (old) (Entered: 04/19/1993)

PACER
April 21, 1993

MAIL from Fresno Office RECEIVED consisting of transmittal letter, docket sheet and case file in 2 volumes (docs 1−50) returned as defendants are to file judgment within 10 days; objections after 30 days and then final judgment (old) (Entered: 04/21/1993)

PACER
51 Aug. 12, 1993

NOTICE of Completion of posting period by defendant Stanislaus County and deft Sheriff Les Weidman (old) (Entered: 08/13/1993)

PACER
April 21, 1994

MAIL from Sacramento Office; volumes 1 and 2 to Fresno file room (old) (Entered: 04/21/1994)

PACER
52 April 18, 2008

MOTION Seeking Enforcement of Settlement Agreement, (filed by non−party filer: Alvis Vernon Rhodes). (Martin, S) (Entered: 05/13/2008)

PACER
53 May 16, 2008

ORDER Disregarding 52 Motion for Enforcement of Settlement Agreement; ORDER Directing Clerk's Office to Send Rhodes a Civil Rights Complaint Form, and Serve a Copy of This Order on Rhodes signed by Judge Oliver W. Wanger on 5/15/08. (Attachments: # 1 Complaint Form and Instructions) (Verduzco, M)

1 Complaint Form and Instructions

View on PACER

RECAP
May 16, 2008

SERVICE BY MAIL: 53 Order served on Paul Wayne Comiskey, James F Goodfellow, Richard P Herman, Michael Harold Krausnick, Dan Lewis Stormer, and Alvis Rhodes. (Verduzco, M) (Entered: 05/16/2008)

PACER
54 June 18, 2008

MAIL RETURNED as Undeliverable 53 Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief. Mail sent to Richard P Herman; envelope reads "wrong address". (Esteves, C) (Entered: 06/19/2008)

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Jail Conditions

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Special Collection(s):

California Jail Population Caps

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 26, 1990

Case Ongoing: Perhaps, but long-dormant

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

prisoners in the Stanislaus County jail system

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

Hadsell, Stormer & Renick

Prisoners Rights Union

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

County

County of Stanislaus

Defendant Type(s):

Corrections

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of California 1:90-cv-00601

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Crowding (General)

Crowding: Pre-PLRA Population Cap

Law library access

Medical/Mental Health Care:

Dental care

Medical care, general

Mental health care, general

Recommended Citation