Three Wins
- The city won three cases in federal court on Thursday, all involving allegations against the police department.
The legal victories are evidence that the city’s strategy to aggressively fight “meritless” lawsuits — rather than settle them — is working, said an attorney whose firm won two of the verdicts for the city Thursday.
In 2009, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Supt. Jody Weis ordered that the city fight more cases against police that were considered frivolous.
- Since the strategy went into effect, the number of new lawsuits filed alleging police misconduct dropped by 47 percent last year, according to city officials.
Hiring competent outside attorneys and vigorously defending officers, not only for their completely legal actions, but for their reputations sake, has saved the city millions and frightened off more than a few frivolous suits.
Labels: good news
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
62 Comments:
Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I was on a team that got hit with a nine million dollar Federal lawsuit, so I learned early in my career that Chicago isn't the City that Works, it's the City that Settles.
Ultimately, the Federal judge threw it out for 'no basis', but in the meantime, I got a three-year education from Corp Counsels who just wanted to offer a settlement to cover the fact that they didn't have a clue how to be attorneys.
I don't think JPWeis had anything to do with the City beginning to actually fight the lawsuits. I think he was the spokesman who ANNOUNCED that Daley had decided to institute the cost-cutting measure of fighting frivolous lawsuits. Daley just let him take the credit, in case the project failed.
We've been asking the City to fight for us for at least the last twenty-five years, so JPWeis didn't invent this wheel.
That's one thing that he did right. Of course, one right, one million wrong; calculate the percentage.
OT
Just got back from the Brotherhood for the fallen benefit. Very good turnout, but could of been much better. As usual the p/os were huge supporters, a good amount of sgts, a couple lt's and three exempts.
Duncan Keith of the Hawks not only gave a signed jersey, he also donated $500 out of his own pocket. The Hawks players have been huge supporters, thx.
The guys and girls who put this together you are to be commended. If you dont know what this organization does check our brotherhoodforthefallen.org. Basically they send CPD to officers funerals that are killed in the line of duyt throughout the U.S. This is fully funded by donations of fellow officers and friends.
The Indian of Midway Plaisance says, "revenge is sweet. "
The twins will pay!
Those attorneys could supersize my value meal.
I love it but I still really dont like the idea of sitting in federal court. I know its all just litigation and not criminal stuff but it still just erkes me. congrats to the officers who "beat dat case".
why are they just saying this now? I know that they went three for three in one day but the city has won 96% of the cases that went to trial since the policy went into effect... 96% is unheard of in the legal world when it comes to civil litigation.... especially for a municipality. Maybe it just shows how the juries are seeing through the b.s. and see the true intentions of the officers of being in good faith instead of malicious.
"Quite possibly the only good that came out of the J-Fled era:"
Piglet didnt get promoted... I guess a broke clock is right twice a day.
It is about time that they tell these blood-sucking commie lawyers (Loevy, Bowman and Taylor) to find a new line of work. This new police union needs to get together with all law-enforcement related unions around the country and lobby for tort reform. We need to put these bastards out of business.
OT: If you look at the Philadelphia Police Dept's Organizational chart, you will see Captains run districts...FYI, a hint of things to come. Someone in the know.
I don't say this very often, but God bless the defendants.
With the radiation being emitted from the Japanese nuclear reactors, the violence in he middle east and its accompanying instability, further increasing the price of oil; this is starting to look apocalyptic.
Get your Iodide pills, duct tape and kiss your asses goodbye.
I had a lawsuit from an incident where the victim refused to go to court. Some BS allegations by the offender were made and they asked for $75000. My city lawyer fought it and won. He said the year before it was just paid for to keep it from going anywhere. I'm glad things are changing.
It makes me just cringe thinking about how many hundreds of million$ Daley just gave away to all those families of the morons who got only what they deserved because of their own actions!
Really, though, the problem has NEVER been about policemen gone ape-shit. It is that we were the ONLY level of the criminal justice system that EVEN ALLOWS the public to sue for damages!
Basically, the lawyers took care of themselves and covered their own asses and left the police out hanging in the wind as the ONLY ONES not indemnified in the criminal justice system.
To the dictionary:
in·dem·ni·fy (n-dmn-f)
tr.v. in·dem·ni·fied, in·dem·ni·fy·ing, in·dem·ni·fies
1. To protect against damage, loss, or injury; insure.
They can't sue the lawmakers for anything... They're indemnified. In fact, they can't even be investigated by anyone outside of the U S Department Of Justice.
They can't sue the judges for anything... The lawmakers indemnified them even in cases of judicial misconduct! And again, they can't even be investigated by anyone outside of the U S Department Of Justice.
They can't sue the prosecutors for anything... The lawmakers indemnified them also, even in cases of prosecutorial misconduct! And they, also, cannot be investigated by anyone outside of the USDOJ.
So again, the police are the only ones that CAN BE sued so that is why everyone sues the police. And this is also why the Daley Crime Family has had a policy of paying off in these police cases so none of the lawyers would start looking too hard or woofin too much about what all of the OTHER parts of the system are doing with all of their unqualified political hack judges and lawyers mishandling cases.
If I or just about any other cop familiar with Cook County "justice" were ever asked to recount their experiences with the Cook County courts or prosecutors, the public would be appalled at the incompetency and outright stupidity of many of these people!
There is hope after all. This is a tremendous turn for the better in this disgustingly liberal, police hating place
OT
Anonymous said...
What Is A Private Sector Police Contractor ?
3/17/2011 08:10:00 PM
Otherwise known as THE END
OT- Tactical Barbie sighting in 023 on days yesterday. Beat 2312. She was working over by the Wilson redline stop! All you guys slinging over there better watch out!
Someone please tell me that what I read in Sneed's column is not true.
Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel wore black- and gold-colored Celtic Cross cuff links given to him by new FOP President Michael Shields.
Wholly Shit!
Thinking of, "Fighting for us", I heard from the local media that our own U.S. Attorney, Fitzgerald is being considered to head the F.B.I. Is that his reward for wearing blinders and allowing the dirty daley criminal enterprise to thrive in Illinois and branch out to D.C.? Damn shame. The man lives here with a family and allows this culture of corruption to continue. Great example for the kids to learn to do nothing even when you could make a difference....
Please don't attribute this to J-FLED. I was down there on the day he came down and made his little speech. The whole office was snickering and burst out laughing when he left.
They were surprised he was so clueless, thinking he had any say as to which cases were fought or not. It would have been sad if he wasn't such an arrogant jerk.
I agree that in reality Jody was not a major contributor to this policy, but backed it as common sense. That, and only that, will I thank him for. I truly believe that the city "beancounters" sat Shortshanks down and spoke about some fiscal truths with him and he actually listened.
Some, and I mean some of the Corp. Counsels are OK, or well intentioned at best.
But 'some' couldn't defend someone on a parking ticket, thus, the need for outside defense/litigation.
Algonquin J. Calhoun could join the team of Loevy, Bowman and Taylor since all they do is trump up an incident and file.
The city settles.
Nice.
.......payoffs on these meritless suits was part of an appeasement strategy. And we all know that the lawyers and law-firms in the know made the most money. And they got to paint the police department as "out of control". Free Cozzi!
Well, let's see how long before this policy of defending these allegations stays in place with the new regime.
"It's a jfled policy so it must be wrong," I could see this thinking comming down tge road.
Johnson and Bell is one of the law firms that city is using. These guys are top notch and very professional.
Wow... No money to kick back to the democrats? Im confroozed?
why are they just saying this now? I know that they went three for three in one day but the city has won 96% of the cases that went to trial since the policy went into effect... 96% is unheard of in the legal world when it comes to civil litigation.... especially for a municipality. Maybe it just shows how the juries are seeing through the b.s. and see the true intentions of the officers of being in good faith instead of malicious.
3/18/2011 01:42:00 AM
It's not just that the juries are seeing through it, it shows just how many bullshit cases were being filed by scumbag attorneys because they knew the city would settle. That's why the filings are down 47%, the scumbag attorneys know they'll have to work for it now.
Why am I so cynical as to think this was pushed to not have the pumpkin headed wonderkid eventually be found liable for something under his command.
There is an officer (trader) in area 3 gangs who is friends with a person who was arrested and sued the police, this went to federal court this week, and the officer testified against the arresting officers. He testified as to what he thought the arresting officers should have done during this arrest. Mind you this officer was never on scene of the arrest. I hope that the commanding officer checks to make sure this piece of shit did not put in a time due slip, because he went and testified as a friend of the arrestee not on behalf of the department.
"Quite possibly the only good that came out of the J-Fled era:"
Piglet didnt get promoted... I guess a broke clock is right twice a day.
3/18/2011 01:56:00 AM
OK. Who the hell is piglet?
"Not a troll"
Unfortunatly this opens up the chances of the police paying out of their own pocket
Give the law department credit and not just the outside lawyers. The City attorneys have won two other cases in the past several weeks that didn't get publicity.
About time,now lets make it 4! RAHM if you could call your friend barry obama and get BILL COZZI released now I will personally work like never before,and you will be the man with balls of steel! DID YOU MAKE THE CALL YET RAHM?
Jody Weis had about as much to do with this decision as he did the release of Mike Mette, zero. He jumped on the bandwagon when the timing was right. Most of the corp Counsel lawyers are just fine, they are just working under a system that discourages them from fighting these cases.
Right now, at this point in time, there is no such thing as " someone in the know". All just guesswork and supposition. The police department has not had a makover since 1959, and not much of one at that, and I just do not see it coming anytime soon.
If Captains running districts is in the future for CPD I'd like to see Capt. Bob Johnson run the 009 dist.
Andy Hale and Avi Kamionski are two of the most competent and professional lawyers in their field. If you have the misfortune to be sued on this job it would be your good fortune to have them represent you. They are the best there are. Not only good lawyers but great guys. I should know...I was part of one of their "wins". Vist their website, ahalelaw.com, it is pretty interesting.
Retired Detective
Now the city needs to do a full court press on the scumiest of the defense firms and prove some sort of misconduct or other. Make an example. Shouldn't be to hard to find. We all know their shithead clients can't keep their mouths shut.
I had Johnson and Bell represent me on one of my lawsuits. My two lawyers were both southside guys and one was former CPD. They did a great job. Very good guys!
There is an officer (trader) in area 3 gangs who is friends with a person who was arrested and sued the police, this went to federal court this week, and the officer testified against the arresting officers
When the fuck are some of you gonna get it through your dense skulls that this job and police officers aren't the most important thing in every copper's life? That there are officers who hold the friendships they had before coming on this job more dearly than the one's they've made while on the job? Are you really so stupid as to think a cop should always choose the department's side over anything else? The days of "You're One of Us or You're One of Dem" have long ago passed. Grow the fuck up!
Anonymous said...
Someone please tell me that what I read in Sneed's column is not true.
Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel wore black- and gold-colored Celtic Cross cuff links given to him by new FOP President Michael Shields.
Wholly Shit!
3/18/2011 06:28:00 AM
They are an old Irish curse and soon Rahm will feel compelled to do things fairly and properly and will demand a federal investigation into Shortshanks criminal wrongdoing.
And he will start sipping Irish whiskey all day long and his wife pop a new kid out every 10 months.
Good thinking Mike. Did you also give him the ones with the miniature GPS transmitter?
OK. Who the hell is piglet?
"Not a troll"
3/18/2011 11:47:00 AM
and where the hell is Waldo?
About 20 year ago I got called off my beat to work the lockup because the District was short of personnel. The guys I was working with took in a prisoner from some Tact guys who, the offender claimed, touched him up. We asked the guy if he wanted medical attention, to which he replied in the negative. We reported this situation to the Watch Commander who essentially said "F the guy". This incident was documented and everyone moved on. The offender, eventually released after serving time, decided to work the ghetto lottery and waited until he did about 3 years incarceration for the original crime for which he was arrested before filing a pro se lawsuit, which some judge thought credible enough to allow it to continue through the system. It finally landed on the desk of the Corp Counsel, who called five of us (excluding the watch commander) to answer for our "conspiracy to deprive . . . of his civil rights, excessive force" and a whole laundry list of crap. Bottom line: he was asking for 10 million dollars, which the Corp Counsel said would be 1 million punitive plus 1 million compensatory damages per copper! The attitude of the lawyers for the City was totally unbelievable. They strongly suggested that We had violated the law, that we had conspired to injure this guy, deprive him of his rights and deny him medical attention. I just told the Corp Counsel "I ain't got it. It ain't in petty cash, savings . . . nowhere. Do what you gotta do." Truth is: I was scared out of my mind, wondering how I got into this mess and how I was gonna come up with any money. Thankfully, the truth came out, the judge saw the suit as frivolous and threw it out - no real thanks to the City attorneys. It may have been easier for them to make a deal on the suit if it had gone further, but it could have potentially ruined all of our reputations.
Oh . . . and the Watch Commander - he never spoke of and said a word.
OT- Tactical Barbie sighting in 023 on days yesterday. Beat 2312. She was working over by the Wilson redline stop! All you guys slinging over there better watch out!
3/18/2011 06:10:00 AM
what, we can't sing now?
don't we got a right to sing the blues?
Get your Iodide pills, duct tape and kiss your asses goodbye.
3/18/2011 04:21:00 AM
always with the duct tape.
To the officer that posted;"Anonymous said...
There is an officer (trader) in area 3 gangs who is friends with a person who was arrested and sued the police, this went to federal court this week, and the officer testified against the arresting officers. He testified as to what he thought the arresting officers should have done during this arrest. Mind you this officer was never on scene of the arrest. I hope that the commanding officer checks to make sure this piece of shit did not put in a time due slip, because he went and testified as a friend of the arrestee not on behalf of the department."
3/18/2011 10:37:00 AM
Let your boss know, and if he doesn't get a number you do it. We have enough enemys without one of our own testifing against us. There is an Order saying what you must do before you can testify on behalf of the defense. I bet he didn't follow it.
OT- Tactical Barbie sighting in 023 on days yesterday. Beat 2312. She was working over by the Wilson redline stop! All you guys slinging over there better watch out!
3/18/2011 06:10:00 AM
-
Yeah, because JPWeis taught her to chastise them to 'knock it off'!!!
There is an officer (trader) in area 3 gangs who is friends with a person who was arrested and sued the police, this went to federal court this week, and the officer testified against the arresting officers. He testified as to what he thought the arresting officers should have done during this arrest. Mind you this officer was never on scene of the arrest. I hope that the commanding officer checks to make sure this piece of shit did not put in a time due slip, because he went and testified as a friend of the arrestee not on behalf of the department.
3/18/2011 10:37:00 AM
-
Okay, I'm just guessing you meant 'traitor'? Unless you're referring to someone who trades in the stock market.
Someone please tell me that what I read in Sneed's column is not true.
Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel wore black- and gold-colored Celtic Cross cuff links given to him by new FOP President Michael Shields.
HUH? The hard charger who is gonna hold rahms feet to the fire? Rahm the guy guy that already reversed his views on residency and is not officially in the mayors office yet?I think I can tell where this is heading already.
OT- Tactical Barbie sighting in 023 on days yesterday. Beat 2312. She was working over by the Wilson redline stop! All you guys slinging over there better watch out!
3/18/2011 06:10:00 AM
what, we can't sing now?
+++++++++++++++++++++++
read it before you speak you dope.. not sing, sling!! as in sling dope! how do people like you get on this job!! no wonder we are crumbling!!!
what, we can't sing now?
don't we got a right to sing the blues?
3/18/2011 06:14:00 PM
Go to AA.
I think I can tell where this is heading already.
3/18/2011 11:26:00 PM
you always think that.
Good thinking Mike. Did you also give him the ones with the miniature GPS transmitter?
3/18/2011 05:36:00 PM
hush your mouth.
Anonymous said...
Get your Iodide pills, duct tape and kiss your asses goodbye.
3/18/2011 04:21:00 AM
always with the duct tape.
3/18/2011 06:18:00 PM
Duct tape or "Wisconsin Chrome" as it is known north of the border.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Good thinking Mike. Did you also give him the ones with the miniature GPS transmitter?
3/18/2011 05:36:00 PM
hush your mouth.
3/19/2011 01:33:00 AM
"Well I'm talking about Shaft!"
(cue music background)
read it before you speak you dope.. not sing, sling!! as in sling dope! how do people like you get on this job!! no wonder we are crumbling!!!
3/18/2011 11:55:00 PM
and why do people laugh when they see someone slip on a banana peel?
happy to be of service.
Go to AA.
3/19/2011 01:02:00 AM
i'm already depressed, you want me suicidal now?
3/19/2011 09:13:00 AM
can you dig it?
Okay, I'm just guessing you meant 'traitor'? Unless you're referring to someone who trades in the stock market.
Why the hell do people always feel the need to correct peoples grammar on this blog. Every one reading the blog knew what the enrty meant. Was it really necessary to give us a definition of a stock trader. No wonder people do not like the police. Most of us are nothing but jagoffs. Including myself, so i do not need some one to chime in with their witty comments.
Why the hell do people always feel the need to correct peoples grammar on this blog. Every one reading the blog knew what the enrty meant. Was it really necessary to give us a definition of a stock trader. No wonder people do not like the police. Most of us are nothing but jagoffs. Including myself, so i do not need some one to chime in with their witty comments.
3/20/2011 11:02:00 PM
Ok I'll play too. It's everyone (one word) not every one.
Someone not some one. Entry not enrty. Lol I feel so much better now!!!
I was one of those officers involved in one of those court cases and it was the most eye opening experience Ive had on this job. Every mornimg I stepped into that federal court rm, I wanted to throw up. All these county branches are nothing to a federal court room when your on the other side of the table. Officers PLEASE CYA!!!!! Thank God for the wonderful representation.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what, we can't sing now?
+++++++++++++++++++++++
read it before you speak you dope.. not sing, sling!! as in sling dope! how do people like you get on this job!! no wonder we are crumbling!!!
That poster is probably not the po-lice
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