On August 2, 2021, The Firm secured another victory for its clients, ten correctional officers employed by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Service (“DOCCS”). An inmate alleged that the officers violated his constitutional rights. The Firm successfully argued in substantive summary judgment papers that no violation had occurred, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York (the “Court”) dismissed the plaintiff’s claims in their entirety in accordance with our arguments.
The plaintiff alleged claims against these ten officers for violations of due process, retaliation and conspiracy, which deprived him of his constitutionally protected liberties. With a factual web of claims in play, the Firm successfully proved that none of the officers’ actions rose to the level of a constitutional deprivation of plaintiff’s liberties. Additionally, the Court found that none of the officers had the necessary retaliatory intent – none of their actions were motivated by a desire to punish the plaintiff for exercising his constitutional rights. Finally, the Court found that the plaintiff’s conspiracy claims suffered from an additional fatal flaw – none of the officers agreed with one another to act adversely to the plaintiff. As a result, the Court dismissed all the plaintiff’s claims and awarded our clients summary judgment.
The Firm is proud to have had the opportunity to successfully defend these DOCCS correctional officers, who provide a valuable and essential service to New York State. Our attorneys are well-versed in Section 1983 litigation, which allows them to meaningfully litigate all types of constitutional claims. Please contact us to discuss your litigation needs by calling 518-400-0955 or emailing info@thewagonerfirm.com.
A link to the decision is below:
Case_9_18-cv-00218-GTS-CFH_Document_203_Filed_20210802_Page_1_of_3
* Attorney advertising; prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. *
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