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Amador v. Baca is a class action lawsuit brought against the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) challenging the manner in which female inmates were strip-searched at the Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF) in Lynwood, California. There is a team of attorneys representing the women who were searched at Lynwood, and they want to get in touch with class members regarding the case.

UPDATE: On September 22, 2019, the Court issued a decision on the motion to preliminarily approve the settlement agreement.  The Court rejected the parties' agreement to set aside $3M of the class fund for the development of gender-responsive policies and programs at CRDF.  This means that the settlement agreement is not approved.  Plaintiffs' counsel is working with the County to reach agreement on a new settlement agreement, omitting this provision and providing that the $3 Million would be part of the funds distributed to class members.  It may take two weeks or more until it is determined if we can agree.  A new settlement agreement and motion are due by November 1, 2019.

Based on the September 22 order, it appears that the Court would preliminarily approve the remainder of the settlement, which would then allow notice and claim forms to be sent to class members.  We will update the website when there is new information.  If you have questions, please contact Plaintiffs' counsel at (626) 844-7660.  

The plaintiffs brought this lawsuit to challenge unconstitutional, group strip search practices at the Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF) in Lynwood, California. The plaintiffs specifically challenge the LASD’s longstanding practice of requiring female inmates to submit to highly-invasive, visual-body-cavity inspections, in groups, and without individual privacy.

In November 2016, a federal court allowed the lawsuit to proceed as a class action on behalf of all women searched in groups, in the bus garage, upon entering/returning to Lynwood, between March 2008 and January 2015. In June 2017, the court ruled that the LASD violated the U.S. Constitution by conducting unnecessarily invasive strip searches, without individual privacy, despite the fact that easy alternatives were available.

The class includes all female inmates who were searched in groups, in the outdoor bus garage, upon admission to the Century Regional Detention Facility (or upon return to the facility), from March 5, 2008 through January 30, 2015.

If you would like to show your interest in this case, and would like the attorneys representing the class to be able to contact you regarding case updates, please submit your contact information and answer a few short questions by clicking the button below.