Apr 25, 2008 11:45 pm US/Eastern
Strip And You May Get Money Coming To You From BSO
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
They say crime doesn't pay, but if you've been booked at the Broward County Jail, that's about to change.
Friday a Broward County Judge approved an $11.5 million class action lawsuit over illegal strip searches at the jail.
"The main reason why we came forward for this is so that this wouldn't happen to any other individuals in the future," said plaintiff Daisy Cole.
Cole sued after she refused to talk to officers regarding an accident, booked on obstruction of justice charges. She was strip searched three times.
"Ultimately you have me afraid of police officers, and I'm afraid when I get pulled over that they are going to infringe on my rights," she said.
"The Constitution of the United States says that you have to have probable cause to do a strip search," said Attorney Gerald Richman. "Being arrested for a regulatory matter, a traffic stop, or a non-violent misdemeanor is not enough to go ahead and warrant that."
The settlement means that anyone who was stripped searched by BSO over the last decade could be eligible for a $1,000 check. An estimated 10,000 to 40,000 current and former inmates stand to collect, including Ronald Hill.
"No fooling," said Hill. "Where do I sign? Can I get my money?"
Convicts outside the jail were pretty thrilled about getting paid to strip, but not everyone agreed it's enough.
"Considering the amount of people that they have done it to doesn't make up for that," said Michael Amendolaro. "It's not an apology from them to us. It's just a check; that's all."
The BSO had little to say about the settlement--only that they would honor it. Checks are expected to roll out later this year. You can call it economic stimulus for criminals.
"It's better than what the government is giving at the present time," said Attorney Gerald Richman.
This settlement is a one time deal. If you have been searched multiple times you still are only eligible for one check for a thousand dollars.
To find out if you're eligible, you can log on to:
http://www.richmangreer.com/home.asp
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