The settlement will benefit 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 nonviolent offenses 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. You may be eligible for a potential award from the Chester, Pennsylvania, Strip Search Class Action Lawsuit!
According to the class action, the plaintiff 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, which allegedly violates the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions. So if you are eligible, file a claim by July 3, 2021 to receive your potential award!
Chester, Pennsylvania, Strip Search CAL
- Claim Form Deadline: July 3, 2021
- Who’s Eligible:
- 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.
- 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:
- Estimated Amount: 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.
- Each Class Member submitting a timely claim form will be eligible for a payment according to the following terms:
- Proof of Purchase:
- 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.
- 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.
- Case Name & Number: 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
(Click here to file a claim)
How To File a Claim
- Head over to the Chester, Pennsylvania, Strip Search Claim Form.
- Read over the claim form to see if you are eligible.
- Complete the claim form with your info.
- Submit your claim form to receive your potential award by July 3, 2021!
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Bottom Line
The settlement will benefit 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 nonviolent offenses 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. You may be eligible for a potential award from the Chester, Pennsylvania, Strip Search Class Action Lawsuit!
If you are eligible, file a claim by the deadline to receive your potential award! Don’t forget to take a look at our full list of Class Action Lawsuit Settlements! Be sure to give our list of No-Proof Class Action lawsuit to see other settlements you may qualify for.
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