12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728 

PLAINTIFFS'

 

MEMORANDUM

 

OF

 

POINTS

 

AND

 

AUTHORITIES

 

IN

 

SUPPORT

 

OF

 

TRO

   W   i  n  s   t  o  n   &   S   t  r  a  w  n   L   L   P

   3   3   3   S .   G  r  a  n   d   A  v  e  n  u  e   L  o  s   A  n  g  e   l  e  s ,   C   A   9   0   0   7   1  -   1   5   4   3

DISABILITY RIGHTS LEGAL CENTER Paula D. Pearlman (SBN 109038)  paula.pearlman@lls.edu Shawna L. Parks (SBN 208301) shawna.parks@lls.edu Matthew Strugar (SBN 232951) matthew.strugar@lls.edu 919 Albany St. Los Angeles, CA 90015 Tel: (213) 252-7406; Fax: (213) 487-2106 Melinda Bird (SBN: 102236) Melinda.Bird@disabilityrightsca.org Kevin Bayley (SBN: 218070) Kevin.bayley@disabilityrightsca.org DISABILITY RIGHTS CALIFORNIA 3580 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 902 Los Angeles, CA 90010-2512 Tel: (213) 427-8747; Fax: (213) 427-8767 Attorneys for Plaintiffs (continued on next page) UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA PETER JOHNSON, DONALD PETERSON, MICHAEL CURFMAN, ANDRE BUTLER, JOE GONZALEZ, COLUMBUS GRIGSBY, and DERRICK WHITE on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, Plaintiffs, vs. LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, a  public entity; LEROY BACA, as Sheriff of the County of Los Angeles, and COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, a public entity, Defendants. Case No.: CV 08-3515 DDP SHx)

 PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN SUPPORT OF TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER

Honorable Dean Pregerson Action Filed: May 29, 2008 Trial Date: October 4, 2011

 

Case 2:08-cv-03515-DDP -SH Document 143-1 Filed 05/05/11 Page 1 of 29 Page ID #:3333

 

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728 

PLAINTIFFS'

 

MEMORANDUM

 

OF

 

POINTS

 

AND

 

AUTHORITIES

 

IN

 

SUPPORT

 

OF

 

TRO

   W   i  n  s   t  o  n   &   S   t  r  a  w  n   L   L   P

   3   3   3   S .   G  r  a  n   d   A  v  e  n  u  e   L  o  s   A  n  g  e   l  e  s ,   C   A   9   0   0   7   1  -   1   5   4   3

(continued from previous page) Peter Eliasberg (SBN: 189110)  peliasberg@aclu-sc.org Hector Villagra (SBN: 177586) hvillagra@aclu-sc.org Jessica Price (SBN: 264053)  jprice@aclu-sc.org ACLU FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 1313 West Eighth Street Los Angeles, CA 90017 Tel: (213) 977-9500; Fax: (213) 250-3980 Stephen R. Smerek (SBN: 208343) SSmerek@winston.com Benjamin Gipson (SBN: 222830)  bgipson@winston.com WINSTON & STRAWN LLP 333 S. Grand Avenue Los Angeles, California 90071 Tel: (213) 615-1700; Fax: (213) 615-1750

Case 2:08-cv-03515-DDP -SH Document 143-1 Filed 05/05/11 Page 2 of 29 Page ID #:3334

 

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728 i

PLAINTIFFS'

 

MEMORANDUM

 

OF

 

POINTS

 

AND

 

AUTHORITIES

 

IN

 

SUPPORT

 

OF

 

TRO

   W   i  n  s   t  o  n   &   S   t  r  a  w  n   L   L   P

   3   3   3   S .   G  r  a  n   d   A  v  e  n  u  e   L  o  s   A  n  g  e   l  e  s ,   C   A   9   0   0   7   1  -   1   5   4   3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1 II. STATEMENT OF FACTS ................................................................................... 3 A. Class Member Terry Alexander. ................................................................ 3 B. Other Class Members. ................................................................................ 6 C. LASD Does Not Dispute that It Has Has a Policy of Disciplining Inmates Who Refuse to Give Up Their Wheelchairs by Placing them in Inaccessible Cells in Disciplinary Segregation. ........................................................................... 7 D. Procedural History. .................................................................................... 8 III. ARGUMENT........................................................................................................ 9 A. Standard for TRO. ...................................................................................... 9 B. Plaintiffs Are Likely to Succeed on the Merits. ......................................... 9 1. Mr. Alexander is a "Qualified Individual." ................................... 11 2. Defendants Qualify as Public Entities and Public Programs. ........ 11 3. Defendants are both Excluding Mr. Alexander from Participation in the Program or Activity and Discriminating on the Basis of his Disability. ............................... 12 a. Excluded from Participation in or Denied the Benefits of Program or Activity. ....................................................... 12 4. Defendants are Also Discriminating On the Basis of Disability By Failing to Provide Reasonable Accommodations to Mr. Alexander. ............................................. 13 C. Plaintiffs Are Likely to Suffer Irreparable Harm Without A Temporary Restraining Order. ............................................................. 15 1. Mr. Alexander faces Irreparable Harm. ......................................... 15 2. Notice to Plaintiffs is Necessary to Prevent Irreparable Harm. ........................................................................... 18 D. The Equities Tip Sharply in Plaintiffs' Favor. ......................................... 18 E. Temporary Restraining Order Is In the Public Interest. ........................... 20 F. A Temporary Restraining Order Complies with the Prison Reform Litigation Act “PLRA”). ................................................. 21 IV. CONCLUSION .................................................................................................. 22

Case 2:08-cv-03515-DDP -SH Document 143-1 Filed 05/05/11 Page 3 of 29 Page ID #:3335