A man was falsely accused of sexual activity and held to answer after a preliminary hearing during which a fabricated lab report was used as evidence. After the charges were dismissed, the man sued a City and a police officer for violation of his civil rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Immediately prior to trial, the parties settled the dispute and the man sought attorney fees in the amount of $1,448,397 based on 2,249.9 hours of compensable attorney hours and costs of $72,255. The trial court awarded $436,807.50 for fees and $23,935.07 for costs.
“Challenging Someone Equipped With A Badge, Handcuffs, And A Gun To ‘Arrest Me’ Was Unwise.” The Ninth Circuit.
This is the situation. It’s a busy juvenile court in L.A. County, and the deputy public defender [P.D.] went back to her office. The judicial officer had 53 cases to be heard and wanted the P.D. there, but the P.D. did not answer her pages or pick up her phone, even though she heard them. […]