In August, 2001, the County promulgated a new strip search policy that was to be followed at OCCF's new facility that opened September 1, 2001. As such, from Januto August of 2001, strip searches were mandatory for everyone. Prior to August 2001, OCCF employed a blanket strip search policy whereby every new arrival at OCCF was strip searched, regardless of reasonable suspicion. Subsequently, the cases were consolidated for a single trial on plaintiffs' requests for permanent injunctive relief in both cases.
In October 2002, a group of pretrial detainees charged with felonies and admitted to OCCF from January 1, 1999, forward, filed suit alleging that they were strip searched in violation of the Fourth Amendment.
In January 2002, a class of pre-trial detainees charged with misdemeanors and admitted to OCCF from Januforward, brought suit alleging that they were subjected to strip searches upon admission to OCCF which violated the Fourth Amendment. The court found that the balance of hardships tipped in favor of plaintiffs and warranted the issuance of a permanent injunction against the policy's unconstitutional aspects. Share: Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on G+ Share with emailĪ federal court in New York held that the Orange County Correctional Facility's (OCCF) strip search policy violated the Fourth Amendment by authorizing strip searches without individualized reasonable suspicion that a detainee possessed contraband.