Case: Hooper v. City of St. Paul

0:17-cv-03442 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: July 30, 2017

Closed Date: March 13, 2020

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Case Summary

This case is a challenge under the ADA (42 U.S.C. 812132), RA (29 U.S.C. 794) and Minnesota state law to the failure of St Paul Minneapolis police department to provide a certified ASL interpreter for a deaf person who was arrested and charged with assault and interference with a 911 call. The plaintiff, a deaf woman represented by the Minnesota P&A, on July 30, 2017 filed suit against the St Paul for compensatory and punitive damages, civil penalties and attorneys fees (a related lawsuit with …

Following a dispute with her mother, the plaintiff attempted to file a report in support of a domestic violence allegation against her mother. She requested a certified ASL interpreter, but the St Paul police department did not provide one; instead providing an officer who had some facility with ASL, but was not fluent and was not a certified interpreter. Instead of taking her statement, the police instead arrested her, without effectively informing her of the reason for her arrest due to the lack of a certified interpreter. Despite repeated attempts to file a statement with an interpreter, the police refused to provide one and arrested her a second time on enhanced charges.

The plaintiff brought the case against the City of St Paul as the operator of the St Paul Police Department, alleging that the defendant’s failure to provide a qualified interpreter that would allow her to file a domestic assault charge deprived her of the equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the defendant’s service of allowing people to file domestic assault charges and violated the prohibition against discrimination in Title II of the ADA (42 U.S.S. 12132 and its implementing regulations (28 C.F.R. Part 35). She also alleged that the failure to provide a certified interpreter violated those same provisions by failing to properly advise her as to the nature and reason for her arrest. The plaintiff further alleged that the defendant’s actions violated the RA Act (29 U.S.C. 794) due to federal funding received by the St Paul police department.

On November 21, 2018 the City of St Paul filed a motion for summary judgment, which was granted in part and denied in part. The court found that the city of St Paul could not be held vicariously liable for any deliberate indifference by its employees under Title II of the ADA or the RA. Despite the fact that the St Paul Police Department was in violation of a prior settlement regarding the use of certified ASL interpreters, the Court found that neither the policy nor practice of the police department were believed to be likely to result in a violation of the ADA or RA. However, it found that direct liability could be established due to the actions of a particular police officer who had the authority to address the alleged discrimination and to institute corrective measures and was deliberately indifferent in failing to do so, specifically in relation to the failure to effectively inform her of the reasons for her arrest. Gebser v. Lago Vista Independent School District, 524 U.S. 274, 290 (1998).

The case thereafter ended in settlement and the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case on March 13, 2020.

Summary Authors

NDRN (6/24/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13546480/parties/hooper-v-city-of-st-paul/

Judge(s)

Schiltz, Patrick Joseph (Minnesota)

Judge(s)

Schiltz, Patrick Joseph (Minnesota)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 0:17-cv-03442	Complaint Jury Trial Demanded	July 30, 2017	July 30, 2017 Complaint
33 0:17-cv-03442	Order on Motion for Summary Judgment	Aug. 26, 2019	Aug. 26, 2019 Order/Opinion 2019 WL 4015443
50 0:17-cv-03442	Order of Dismissal	March 13, 2020	March 13, 2020 Order/Opinion

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13546480/hooper-v-city-of-st-paul/

Last updated April 10, 2026, 4:51 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	July 30, 2017	COMPLAINT against City of St. Paul ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number AMNDC-5640264.) filed by Catrina Hooper. Filer requests summons issued. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) A and B, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet) (Macpherson, Roderick) Modified text on 7/31/2017 (las). (Entered: 07/30/2017) 1 Exhibit(s) A and B View on PACER 2 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	July 31, 2017	TEXT ONLY ENTRY: CLERK'S NOTICE OF INITIAL CASE ASSIGNMENT. Case assigned to Judge Patrick J. Schiltz per Civil 3rd, 4th - Civil Rights: Housing/Accommodations, ADA Other List and referred to Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz. Please use case number 17-cv-03442 (PJS/DTS). (las) (Entered: 07/31/2017)	RECAP
3	July 31, 2017	Summons Issued as to City of St. Paul. (las) (Entered: 07/31/2017)	RECAP
4	Aug. 1, 2017	SUMMONS Returned Executed by Catrina Hooper. City of St. Paul served on 8/1/2017, answer due 8/22/2017. (Macpherson, Roderick) (Entered: 08/01/2017)	RECAP
5	Aug. 16, 2017	ANSWER to Complaint filed by City of St. Paul. (Sisk, Cheri) (Entered: 08/16/2017)	RECAP
6	Aug. 24, 2017	NOTICE OF AND ORDER FOR PRETRIAL CONFERENCE: Pretrial Conference set for 9/21/2017 10:30 AM in Courtroom 9E (MPLS) before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz. Signed by Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz on 8/24/17. (Attachments: # 1 Consent Form)(JDF) (Entered: 08/25/2017)	RECAP
7	Sept. 13, 2017	REPORT of Rule 26(f) Planning Meeting. Filed by Catrina Hooper. Jointly Signed by City of St. Paul.(Macpherson, Roderick) (Entered: 09/13/2017)	RECAP
8	Sept. 21, 2017	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz: Recorded Pretrial Conference held on 9/21/2017. Pretrial Scheduling Order to be issued. (JDF) (Entered: 09/27/2017)	RECAP
9	Sept. 28, 2017	PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER: Amended Pleadings due by 10/21/2017. Discovery due by 4/1/2018. Motions (non-disp) due 4/15/2018. Motions (disp) due by 1/15/2019. Ready for trial due by 5/15/2019. Signed by Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz on 9/28/17. (JDF) (Entered: 09/28/2017)	RECAP
10	Jan. 17, 2018	NOTICE of Appearance by Christen Leigh Chapman on behalf of Catrina Hooper. (Chapman, Christen) (Entered: 01/17/2018)	RECAP
11	March 28, 2018	STIPULATION re 9 Scheduling Order, by City of St. Paul. Jointly Signed by Catrina Hooper. (Sisk, Cheri) (Entered: 03/28/2018)	RECAP
12	April 9, 2018	AMENDED PRETRIAL SCHEDULING ORDER. Signed by Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz on 4/9/2018. (KMH) (Entered: 04/09/2018)	RECAP
13	Aug. 31, 2018	MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by City of St. Paul. (Sisk, Cheri) (Entered: 08/31/2018)	RECAP
14	Aug. 31, 2018	NOTICE OF HEARING ON MOTION 13 MOTION for Summary Judgment : Motion Hearing set for 1/2/2019 at 08:30 AM in Judge's Chambers 14E (MPLS) before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. (Sisk, Cheri) (Entered: 08/31/2018)	RECAP
15	Sept. 4, 2018	DOCUMENT FILED IN ERROR-Letter re: withdrawal of motion re 13 MOTION for Summary Judgment from Cheri M. Sisk. (Sisk, Cheri) Modified on 9/5/2018 (AKL). (Entered: 09/04/2018)	RECAP
16	Sept. 4, 2018	DOCUMENT FILED IN ERROR-Letter re: withdrawal of motion re 14 Notice of Hearing on Motion from Cheri M. Sisk. (Sisk, Cheri) Modified on 9/5/2018 (AKL). (Entered: 09/04/2018)	RECAP
17	Sept. 5, 2018	Letter re: withdrawal of motion re 13 MOTION for Summary Judgment, 14 Notice of Hearing on Motion. (Sisk, Cheri) (Entered: 09/05/2018)	RECAP
18	Nov. 6, 2018	NOTICE of Withdrawal as Attorney of Christen Chapman (Chapman, Christen) (Entered: 11/06/2018)	RECAP
19	Nov. 21, 2018	MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by City of St. Paul. (Sisk, Cheri) (Entered: 11/21/2018)	RECAP
20	Nov. 21, 2018	NOTICE OF HEARING ON MOTION 19 MOTION for Summary Judgment : Motion Hearing set for 1/2/2019 at 08:30 AM in Courtroom 14E (MPLS) before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. (Sisk, Cheri) (Entered: 11/21/2018)	RECAP
21	Nov. 21, 2018	MEMORANDUM in Support re 19 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by City of St. Paul. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Sisk, Cheri) (Entered: 11/21/2018)	RECAP
22	Nov. 21, 2018	AFFIDAVIT of Chad Koch in SUPPORT OF 19 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by City of St. Paul.(Sisk, Cheri) (Entered: 11/21/2018)	RECAP
23	Nov. 21, 2018	PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re Summary Judgment Motion 19 Motion for Summary Judgment. (Sisk, Cheri) (Entered: 11/21/2018)	RECAP
24	Nov. 21, 2018	AFFIDAVIT of Cheri M. Sisk in SUPPORT OF 19 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by City of St. Paul. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) A-G, # 2 Exhibit(s) H-X)(Sisk, Cheri) (Entered: 11/21/2018)	RECAP
25	Dec. 6, 2018	(Text-only) NOTICE of Resetting of Hearing re 19 MOTION for Summary Judgment. Motion Hearing RESCHEDULED for 1/2/2019 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 14E (MPLS) before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. NOTE TIME CHANGE ONLY. (CLG) (Entered: 12/06/2018)	RECAP
26	Dec. 12, 2018	MEMORANDUM in Opposition re 19 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Catrina Hooper. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Macpherson, Roderick) (Entered: 12/12/2018)	RECAP
27	Dec. 12, 2018	DECLARATION of Catarina Hooper in Opposition to 19 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Catrina Hooper.(Macpherson, Roderick) (Entered: 12/12/2018)	RECAP
28	Dec. 12, 2018	DECLARATION of Stephanie Rittenour in Opposition to 19 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Catrina Hooper.(Macpherson, Roderick) (Entered: 12/12/2018)	RECAP
29	Dec. 12, 2018	DECLARATION of Roderick J. Macpherson III in Opposition to 19 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Catrina Hooper. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) A- F with Cover, # 2 Exhibit(s) G - K, # 3 Exhibit(s) L - N, # 4 Exhibit(s) O - Q, # 5 Exhibit(s) R - S)(Macpherson, Roderick) (Entered: 12/12/2018)	RECAP
30	Dec. 26, 2018	REPLY re 19 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by City of St. Paul. (Attachments: # 1 LR7.1/LR72.2 Word Count Compliance Certificate)(Sisk, Cheri) (Entered: 12/26/2018)	RECAP
31	Jan. 2, 2019	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz: Motion Hearing held on 1/2/2019 re 19 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by City of St. Paul. Motion taken under advisement, written order forthcoming. (Court Reporter Debra Beauvais) (CLG) (Entered: 01/02/2019)	RECAP
32	Feb. 8, 2019	NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE/SUBSTITUTION for City of St. Paul. (Edwards, Anthony) (Entered: 02/08/2019)	RECAP
33	Aug. 26, 2019	ORDER granting in part and denying in part 19 Motion for Summary Judgment. (Written Opinion). Signed by Judge Patrick J. Schiltz on 8/26/2019. (KLL) (Entered: 08/26/2019)	Clearinghouse
34	Sept. 3, 2019	TRIAL NOTICE AND FINAL PRETRIAL ORDER. Jury Trial set for 11/12/2019 at 08:30 AM in Courtroom 14E (MPLS) before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. See Order for other dates and deadlines. (CLG) (Entered: 09/03/2019)	RECAP
35	Sept. 3, 2019	ORDER/NOTICE FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE: Confidential Letter to Court due by 10/14/2019. Parties are directed to Meet and Confer by 10/14/2019. Settlement Conference set for 10/21/2019 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 9E (MPLS) before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz. Signed by Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz on 9/3/2019. (TJB) (Entered: 09/03/2019)	RECAP
36	Sept. 5, 2019	LETTER TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE by City of St. Paul . (Edwards, Anthony) (Entered: 09/05/2019)	RECAP
37	Sept. 17, 2019	(Text-only) NOTICE of Cancelation & Resetting of Hearing: 35 ORDER/NOTICE FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE: Confidential Letter to Court due by 10/11/2019. Parties are directed to Meet and Confer by 10/11/2019. Settlement Conference set for 10/18/2019 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 9E (MPLS) before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz. (TJB) (Entered: 09/17/2019)	RECAP
38	Oct. 1, 2019	AMENDED TRIAL NOTICE AND FINAL PRETRIAL ORDER. Jury Trial RESCHEDULED for 1/27/2020 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 14E (MPLS) before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz. See Order for other dates and deadlines. (CLG) (Entered: 10/01/2019)	RECAP
39	Oct. 2, 2019	AMENDED ORDER/NOTICE FOR SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE: Confidential Letter to Court due by 11/1/2019. Parties are directed to Meet and Confer by 11/1/2019. Settlement Conference set for 11/8/2019 at 09:00 AM in Courtroom 9E (MPLS) before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz. Signed by Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz on 10/02/19. (TJB) (Entered: 10/02/2019)	RECAP
40	Nov. 8, 2019	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz: Settlement Conference held on 11/8/2019. (TJB) (Entered: 11/14/2019)	RECAP
41	Nov. 19, 2019	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz: Settlement Conference held on 11/19/2019. Binding settlement reached. (TJB) (Entered: 12/02/2019)	RECAP
42	Dec. 27, 2019	TEXT-ONLY ORDER: The parties are to appear on January 24, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 9E, United States Courthouse, 300 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz, to discuss Plaintiff's concerns raised post-settlement. Ordered by Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz on 12/27/2019. (TJB) (Entered: 12/27/2019)	RECAP
	Dec. 27, 2019	Order/Notice of Hearing/Deadlines (Setting/Resetting)
43	Jan. 24, 2020	Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz: Settlement Conference held on 1/24/2020. Binding settlement reached. (TJB) (Entered: 01/24/2020)	RECAP
44	Jan. 29, 2020	DOCUMENT FILED IN ERROR. REFILED AT 45 . TRANSCRIPT REQUEST for an Expedited 3-Day Transcript of 43 Settlement Conference to Court Reporter Debra Beauvais. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement)(Macpherson, Roderick) Modified text on 2/4/2020 (CLK). (Entered: 01/29/2020)	RECAP
45	Jan. 30, 2020	REQUEST for an Expedited 3-Day Transcript of a Digital Audio Recording. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement)(Macpherson, Roderick) (Entered: 01/30/2020)	RECAP
46	Jan. 31, 2020	RESTRICTED TRANSCRIPT of Settlement Conference held on 1/24/2020 before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz. (18 pages). Transcriber: Renee Rogge. For a copy of the transcript, please file a Transcript Request under Other Filings/Other Documents. (RAR) (Entered: 01/31/2020)	RECAP
47	March 12, 2020	NOTICE of Appearance by Barnett I. Rosenfield on behalf of Catrina Hooper. (Rosenfield, Barnett) (Entered: 03/12/2020)	RECAP
48	March 13, 2020	STIPULATION of Dismissal With Prejudice by City of St. Paul. Jointly Signed by Catrina Hooper. (Edwards, Anthony) (Entered: 03/13/2020)	RECAP
49	March 13, 2020	PROPOSED ORDER TO JUDGE re Stipulation of Dismissal 48 Stipulation of Dismissal. (Edwards, Anthony) (Entered: 03/13/2020)	RECAP
50	March 13, 2020	ORDER OF DISMISSAL. Signed by Judge Patrick J. Schiltz on 3/13/2020. (CLG) (Entered: 03/13/2020)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 30, 2017

Closing Date: March 13, 2020

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Individual plaintiff with hearing disability

Attorney Organizations:

NDRN/Protection & Advocacy Organizations

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City

City of St. Paul

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act), 29 U.S.C. § 701

Other Dockets:

District of Minnesota 0:17-cv-03442

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

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:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Issues

Disability and Disability Rights:

Hearing impairment

Discrimination Basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Hooper v. City of St. Paul, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/18271/ (last updated 6/24/2024).