Plaintiffs claimed that scores of people were held for days after the district attorney’s office declined to prosecute them.
Santa Clara County has set aside $2.4 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of people held in jail long after prosecutors decided not to charge them — sometimes for several days — during a two-year window that coincided with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic.
County Counsel James Williams said the source of the problem was a programming issue that was already identified and in the process of being corrected prior to the lawsuit’s filing in April 2021. That meant that once prosecutors entered a no-file decision into the law-enforcement database, neither the system nor jail policy compelled anyone to check on an in-custody person’s charging status, unless correctional officers decided to manually look it up.
According to court filings, Camarlinghi, who had no prior criminal record, spent his time in jail on edge and in fear of being assaulted and “was not provided any information” about when he would be released. He was released on Feb. 14, 2020 — but it wasn’t until a year later that he learned the DA’s office declined to charge him three days earlier, on Feb. 11.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
American Airlines agrees to pay at least $7.5M to settle class action lawsuit over baggage feesAmerican Airlines agrees to pay at least $7.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit by passengers who claim they were wrongly charged baggage fees.
Read more »
Report Details Alleged Corruption, Cover-up in Santa Clara County Sheriff's OfficeAnother scathing report paints the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office in a bad light once again.
Read more »
Woman who blinded herself in jail settles for $4.35 millionIts settlement with Tanya Suarez means San Diego County will now have paid out $27.1 million over five years to settle cases involving deaths and serious injuries in its jails.
Read more »
American Airlines to refund $7.5 million in bag fees following lawsuitIn February 2021, a group of American Airlines passengers sued the company, saying they were charged to check luggage despite having frequent flyer status or credit cards that should have entitled them to a fee waiver.
Read more »
Santa Clara County Publishes List of People Owed Unclaimed MoneySanta Clara County has released a list of more than 200 people and businesses who are the potential owners of more than $100,000 in unclaimed money and are encouraging those on the list to come forward to receive their payments.
Read more »