LOS ANGELES, CA – Late Monday, United States District Court Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald granted Plaintiffs’ motion to remand a lawsuit for violation of the California TRUST Act back to State Superior Court in Los Angeles. MALDEF, together with co-counsel from the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) and the Immigrant Rights Clinic at the University of California at Irvine School of Law, filed the action in state court on October 8, 2014.
Access to Justice
JUDGE UPHOLDS MALDEF WESTMINSTER POLICE VERDICT
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California rejected a request for a new trial in the Flores v. City of Westminster case earlier this week. The Court’s decision upholds the jury’s verdict finding that Westminster discriminated and retaliated against the Latino police officers who were denied promotions and special assignments. The Court also ruled that the jury’s decision awarding $3.34 million in damages to the three Latino officers will stand.
MALDEF PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, THOMAS A. SAENZ REACTS TO THE SENATE’S FAILURE TO CONFIRM RESPECTED CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER, DEBO ADEGBILE
LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, in a 47-52 vote, the U.S. Senate refused to end a filibuster, and thus failed to confirm respected civil rights attorney, Debo Adegbile, as Assistant Attorney General to lead the civil rights division of the U.S Department of Justice. MALDEF President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, issued the following statement in reaction:
FEDERAL COURT RULES ARIZONA SHERIFF JOE ARPAIO VIOLATED UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
MALDEF PREVAILS IN LAWSUIT CHALLENGING LEAGUE CITY’S ANTI-SOLICITATION POLICY
Federal Grand Jury Indictments in Luis Ramirez Beating Death are Long Overdue Step toward Justice
MALDEF Reacts to Supreme Court Decision in Ricci v. Destefano
Civil Rights Groups Express Outrage; Defendants in Hate Crime Murder of Latino, Father of Two, Receive Six- and Seven-Month Sentences
SHENANDOAH, PA – Today, the Schuylkill County Court sentenced Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak to six and seven months in county jail on simple assault and alcohol-related convictions, respectively. Both defendants were acquitted of third-degree murder and aggravated assault, respectively, last month after a jury trial relating to their role in the fatal beating of Luis Ramirez, a 25-year-old Mexican immigrant and father of two. Despite the evidence of a hate-driven attack that resulted in the death of a human being, the defendants were convicted of minor crimes and the corresponding convictions and sentences are wholly disproportionate to the crimes committed.