Camp Wilmont Sweeney, known commonly as Camp Sweeney, is a juvenile justice camp for males between 15 to 19 years old. This is a minimum security unit that serves as an alternative to the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility, which houses maximum security offenders. The campus includes an Academic Center, which provides a “learning environment to reinforce self-discipline and personal responsibility with minimal application of disciplinary measures.”
Such a description implies that Camp Sweeney is focused on rehabilitation, rather than punishment. Unfortunately, what goes on at juvenile camps is a different story, according to many former and current inmates we’ve spoken to. Children in youth detention centers are frequently subjected to abuse by the people who work there, including sexual assault. And there’s little to no help for the kids who are brave enough to complain and seek help from juvenile hall administrators. In many cases, these are the very individuals that enable abusers and allow them to prey on children year after year.
If you or someone you know was sexually abused during your stay at Alameda Camp Sweeny, you may have grounds for a child sexual assault lawsuit. Our law firm has decades of experience in the recovery of pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, and other monetary damages on behalf of sexual abuse victims. To learn more about your rights and legal options, please schedule a free consultation with an Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual assault lawyer.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$600,000
$1.5 Million
$54 Million
$525,000
$1.2 Million
The Sexual Assault Epidemic in California Juvenile Halls
Applying the word “epidemic” to sex abuse incidents is not an exaggeration when it comes to how children are treated in youth detention centers. Over the years, we’ve heard from hundreds of sexual assault victims who were raped, sodomized, groomed, and blackmailed into sexual acts by workers at juvenile halls. Even worse, when these abusers are confronted with their actions, they make excuses, like:
- He came on to me first, and he was well aware of what he was doing.
- Yes, I was groping her breasts, but I never raped her.
- They agreed to receive extra privileges in exchange for oral sex; it wasn’t abuse.
- All we did was exchange some nude pics; I never even touched her!
According to California law, any sexual activity between adults and minors, including inappropriate touching and asking for photos, counts as sexual abuse. That’s because individuals under 18 years old are deemed incapable of making informed decisions about sex. Thus, adults that engage in sexual conduct, including sexual grooming, are guilty of child sexual assault.
Perhaps you were confused about your rights as a victim, and you are just starting to realize that you may have a case for sexual abuse against a juvenile detention center. If you are searching for a lawyer who can sue Alameda Camp Sweeney, contact us today.
Liability for Sexual Abuse of Minors at Alameda Camp Sweeney
In this section, we will talk about the responsibility that certain individuals and entities have towards others, specifically the duty to keep others from harm and suffering by exercising reasonable care. The standard of reasonable care is higher for institutions like Alameda Camp Sweeney, as they are in charge of youths who are dependent on adults for their basic needs. This includes protection from sexual abuse, whether it’s from other inmates or staff members at the facility.
In particular, employee sexual assault against underage inmates is a major problem at youth detention centers in the U.S. And juvenile camps are no exception to the rule, even though they are supposed to be a more compassionate and rehabilitative environment, compared to juvenile halls. In reality, conditions may be even worse at these centers, where children are often exposed to unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, and physical / sexual assault.
With help from an Alameda Camp Sweeney abuse attorney, you can demand justice from your abuser and the agencies in charge of the facility. These include the Alameda County Office of Education and the Alameda County Probation Department. However, it can be very difficult to find evidence and establish liability in these cases, which is where an experienced lawyer can be of help. Your legal representative can also fight to ensure that you receive a just compensation award, and if necessary, argue your case in front of a judge and jury.
The Alameda Camp Sweeney abuse lawyers of Normandie are ready to answer your questions and help you determine the best course of action. Call us today and schedule a free case review if you were sexually assaulted while you were staying at Alameda Camp Sweeney, located at 2600 Fairmont Dr, San Leandro, CA 94578.
Is There a Class Action Lawsuit on This Case?
Currently, there is no class action that’s specific to sex abuse victims that were detained at Alameda Camp Sweeny. However, there are currently numerous class action claims for juvenile hall sexual assaults in California. Thus, we believe it’s only a matter of time before we have enough victims for an Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual abuse class action lawsuit.
To explore the option of suing with other juvenile hall abuse victims, please give us a call. The important thing is to understand the process for an
Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual abuse class action lawsuit and ensure that you are making the right decision for you and your loved ones. Certainly, there are many advantages to seeking justice as a group. With multiple stories of abuse by a probation officer, teacher, social worker, etc., the basis for a lawsuit is much stronger and more compelling to a jury. County agencies know that they will likely lose if the case goes to trial, so these lawsuits typically result in favorable settlements for the victims.
However, class action claims have their downsides, and they are not appropriate for everyone. For one thing, all those in a class action must have suffered in similar ways due to negligence or criminal conduct by the same defendant (or defendants). Based on the specific details of your case, proceeding with a lawsuit on your own may be a better option. However, you won’t know for sure until you’ve spoken with an
Alameda Camp Sweeney class action lawsuit attorney.
Statute of Limitations – How Long Do I have to File a Lawsuit?
The laws in California provide a generous amount of time for a lawsuit to those who were sexually assaulted at Alameda Camp Sweeney. For cases of sexual abuse during childhood, you have until the following dates to bring a legal action against the negligent parties:
- Up until your 40th birthday, or 22 years after turning the legal age of consent (18 years old).
- Up to 5 years from the date of discovering an injury or psychological damage from an act of child sexual abuse
The discovery rule is confusing for a lot of people, and frankly, this isn’t explained very clearly in the laws concerning the statute of limitations for sexual assault lawsuits. Essentially, it takes into account how minors are unable to process what has happened to them when they are sexually assaulted by an adult. Many of them repress the events in order to move forward with their lives, but these memories always manifest at some point, usually during adulthood. At that point, the victim struggles with feelings of disgust, anger, shame, etc., which can result in mental health disorders like self-harm, suicidal ideation, and depression.
Then, there are cases where the victim is completely unaware that they were assaulted, possibly because they were drugged / unconscious, or they did not recognize what was done to them as sexual abuse. The 5-year discovery rule would apply in these situations as well. At the end of the day, these are complicated issues that you should discuss with an Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual molestation lawyer. Keep in mind that if you exceed the legal deadline for a lawsuit, you will permanently lose the chance to take legal action against Alameda County. Contact us right away if negligence by the juvenile justice system enabled an Alameda Camp Sweeny employee to sexually abuse you.
Average Case Value for Those Who Were Sexually Abused at Alameda Camp Sweeney
It’s perfectly reasonable for any abuse victim to wonder about the amount that can be recovered if they choose to go ahead with a lawsuit. After all, this is a long and arduous process, and the compensation from a lawsuit isn’t just about the money. It’s about what the money represents, which is a sense of justice and taking back control from the individuals that left you with the lifelong scars of sexual abuse.
Thus, it comes as no surprise that “What are these lawsuits worth?” is the question that most people have for the Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual abuse lawyers at our office. But this is an issue that must be determined on a case-by-case basis. Each victim’s experience with sexual assault is unique, and so are the injuries that it produces. These can be physical injuries, of course, but the emotional trauma of sexual abuse during childhood plays a greater role in just about every case.
An Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual abuse lawsuit settlement can range from $500,000 to over $2,000,000. For the most severe cases of psychological and/or physical trauma, payments can exceed $5,000,000, especially if the case goes to trial.
We know these estimate ranges don’t provide you with a clear sense of how much you can potentially end up with from a juvenile hall abuse lawsuit. For answers that are specific to your own situation, contact us to speak with a childhood sexual assault lawyer.
What is the Average Timeline to Settle these Cases?
An Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual abuse lawsuit can take just a few months to settle in some cases. But others wait up to several years to get paid from a lawsuit against Alameda County. So, what makes the difference in the timelines from one case to another?
Frankly, there is no easy answer when it comes to how long it will take to settle a juvenile hall sex abuse claim. Case resolution timelines are affected by a variety of factors, including:
- Length of time to investigate your claim and gather the needed evidence.
- The extent of your injuries and monetary losses
- The amount you are asking for, which can prolong the negotiation process
- Degree of liability by the defendant, i.e., gross negligence
Of course, our goal is to bring you a resolution as fast as possible. But we don’t want you to settle for an amount that you will regret in the long run. This happens quite a bit to sexual abuse victims, and many of them have told us that it feels like they were taken advantage of all over again by the same system. That’s why it’s important to have the protection of a lawyer with experience in child sexual abuse cases.
Realistically, many of these lawsuits take over one year to settle, meaning we are able to come to an agreement without court intervention. Please note that trials are very rare for these cases, but if it were to happen, the legal process for an Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual assault lawsuit can take 2 years or longer.
Contact Our Law Firm
The California juvenile justice system claims that they are committed to rehabilitation, as opposed to punishment for youth offenders. We agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment, but we know for a fact that the system has fallen short of their promises to the children within their facilities. Sexual abuse is rampant at juvenile halls throughout the state, and victims are entitled to justice for the harm they’ve suffered.
We are committed to fighting for your rights and ensuring that justice is served if you were sexually abused at Alameda Camp Sweeney. Our track record of settlements and verdicts speak for themselves, but time and dedication to our clients is just as important. You can count on us to be there when you call, with the advice, compassion, and encouragement you need as you navigate the legal process for an Alameda Camp Sweeney assault lawsuit.
As one of our clients, you will be protected under the Zero Fee Guarantee. That means you will never pay out of pocket to retain the services of an Alameda Camp Sweeney sexual abuse attorney. Instead, cost of legal representation is covered by Alameda County and included in the settlement you receive at the end of your case. Since this is the only way we get paid, you lose absolutely nothing in the event we fail to win your case.
For a free case evaluation with a juvenile hall sexual assault lawyer, contact us at your earliest convenience.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
hat Is The Average Value Of A Dorothy Kirby Center Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
What Is The Average Value Of A Camp Scott Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
How Long Does It Take For A Sylmar Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuit To Settle?
