Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility Sexual Abuse Attorney

The Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility is a maximum security detainment center for youth offenders in San Leandro, California. This unit is capable of housing up to 358 youths at any time, who are waiting for a court hearing or serving a sentence upon adjudication by the California juvenile courts

Considering that this is max security unit, staff members have considerable challenges when it comes to managing so many children. However, it is their duty to provide compassionate and rehabilitative treatment to the minors that are staying at the facility. And if you go by the description on their website, it would appear that Alameda County Juvenile Hall is committed to “creating and maintaining a safe and humane environment” for youth offenders.

But this is not always the case, and we know for a fact that sexual abuse is a common occurrence in facilities like juvenile halls and foster care group homes. Those who were sexually abused at Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility may feel that their options are limited when it comes to suing the juvenile justice system. But you are entitled to legal remedies as a victim of child sexual assault, and this is where we can be of help.

Based on the circumstances, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit or an Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility sexual abuse class action lawsuit. For a free case review on your rights and legal options, contact the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility sexual abuse lawyers of Normandie.

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Victims Fight Back in Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuit against L.A. County

Sexual assault is an on-going problem at juvenile halls throughout the nation. In particular, inappropriate touching, sexual grooming, rape, and other acts of sexual abuse are disturbingly common at facilities that house children. For many years, victims were caught in a cycle of violence and abuse, and many of them felt it was pointless to seek help from the authorities.

Thankfully, there have been significant changes in the laws within the past few years, along with a greater understanding of what goes on at juvenile detention facilities. As a result, there have been numerous lawsuits filed by juvenile hall inmates, including a lawsuit that was filed against Los Angeles County in December 2022.

The lawsuit includes almost 300 plaintiffs who had stayed at or are currently incarcerated at an L.A. County juvenile hall. Allegations include grooming, extortion, rape, and sodomy committed against minors by probation officers and other employees of the Los Angeles County Probation Department. It does not surprise us that some of these incidents are from the 1970s, which means county officials may have known about sexual abuse at these places for several decades.

We believe that this lawsuit will serve as an example to all those who were sexually abused at Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility. Still, we understand that many victims have stayed silent for many years, and going ahead with a legal action is a big decision. To help you make an informed choice, we would like to offer a free consultation with an Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility sexual assault lawyer. All you have to do is contact our law firm at your earliest convenience.

Definition of Child Sexual Assault under California Law

It’s crucial for victims to understand how child sexual abuse is defined in the state of California. This is particularly true with teens at juvenile halls, who may be sexually active or have at least some basic knowledge of sexual matters. But knowledge isn’t what matters according to California law. Rather, it’s the fact that those below the age of 18 lack the intellectual capacity to give meaningful consent for sexual activity.

To put it simply, an adult that engages in sexual activity with a child cannot claim that the child gave consent (“she liked it,” “he knew what he was doing,” etc.). That’s why these incidents are considered child sexual abuse, which is punishable by criminal sanctions and/or monetary awards to the victim. But it’s not just the abuser that can be sued; those that looked the other way and enabled the perpetrator can also be included in a lawsuit for sexual assault at a juvenile hall.

Can I Sue Alameda County for being Sexually Abused at a Juvenile Hall?

Yes, it’s possible to sue prison officials, the county probation department, and other government entities if they failed to prevent or take action against an incident of sexual abuse. In our experience, these agencies play the biggest role when it comes to sexual assault against juvenile inmates. Generally, agency officials are more interested in protecting their jobs and preserving the status quo than they are in protecting juvenile youths. That’s why they are quick to bury accusations and complaints, and turn a blind eye while a staff member continues to sexually abuse children at the facility.

When we conduct investigations on behalf of our clients, here is what we normally uncover:

• Juvenile hall administrators had previous knowledge of sexual abuse by specific employees.
• Employees that were repeatedly accused of sexual assault against inmates were allowed to continue working at the facility.
• County officials and law enforcement agencies engaged in bribery, stall tactics, and cover ups, making it difficult for victims to seek justice.
• The offender is moved to another juvenile hall instead of being fired and reported to the authorities.

This is why juvenile hall abuse lawsuits usually name the county or another government agency as a defendant. Even if they are not directly responsible, they are still liable for the victim’s injuries under the law. To learn more about the process of suing for sexual abuse at a youth detention center, call us for a free consultation with an Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility sexual molestation lawyer.

Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility Sexual Abuse Class Action Lawsuit

Due to the increased attention on juvenile hall abuse cases recently, we have received numerous requests for information about class action lawsuits from victims of Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility sexual abuse. And there are many advantages to filing a class action with others, who have suffered at the hands of Alameda County officials.

But you should always consider all the legal options that are available, and the pros and cons that are involved before you decide on how to proceed with a sexual assault lawsuit. By contacting us, you can schedule a free consultation with an Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility class action lawsuit attorney. This way, you have an opportunity to ask any questions and ensure that you understand the process of joining a class action with other victims who were sexually assaulted at Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility.

Settlement Value of a Lawsuit for Child Sexual Abuse

When we consider all the issues that come up during consultations with clients, one question comes to mind: What is the average value of an Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility sexual abuse lawsuit? And we understand completely why you would want to have an idea of what you stand to recover from a juvenile hall sexual abuse claim.

But “average” is not a word that can be applied to these settlements, which can range from $450,000 to over $2,000,000. Of course, there are cases that are worth less, but as a general rule, lawsuits for sexual abuse of a minor are extremely valuable cases. Ultimately, there are many factors that are specific to your case, and these are the elements that will determine the amount we ask for. These factors include, but are not limited to:

• The acts of sexual abuse that were involved
• The age of the victim versus the perpetrator
• The duration of abuse or number of abuse incidents
• The victim’s physical and/or emotional injuries
• Negligence by third parties, like juvenile hall administrators and county agencies

The Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility abuse lawyers at our office can help you figure out the approximate value of your case and ensure that you are fairly compensated from a childhood sexual abuse lawsuit.

Estimated Timeframe to Settle a Sexual Abuse Claim

Most victims look forward to the day when they reach a settlement on their case. This is a crucial step in the road to recovery for anyone with a pending Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility abuse claim. That’s why we receive a lot of inquiries about the average timeframe to settle a case for sexual abuse at a California juvenile hall.

Resolving an Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility sexual assault claim can take around up to a year in many cases. It’s possible that we can process a claim and work out a suitable payment amount with the county within a few months, but most of these cases are exceptionally complicated. County governments also have significant money and resources to fight claims of sexual abuse, so it can take many months of back and forth legal actions in order to achieve a settlement.

You have probably come across news stories about trials for cases of prison and juvenile hall inmate abuse. As a result, you may be under the impression that many of these cases are tried in court, but in actuality, over 95% of sexual abuse lawsuits are settled privately. If it turns out that asking for a court date is the only option, obtaining compensation through a jury verdict will be a long process – possibly 2 or more years.

Due to the many complications that are involved, we recommend that you hire an Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility sexual abuse attorney as soon as possible.

Deadline for an Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility Assault Lawsuit

How long you have to file a lawsuit for abuse at a juvenile hall is an extremely important topic for anyone that was sexually assaulted at Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility. Known as the statute of limitations, the deadline for a legal action is set by the court system. Thus, if you exceed the timeframe that applies to your case, you will most likely lose the right to file a lawsuit altogether.

First, let’s look at the guidelines that were established under California’s Assembly Bill 218, which pertains to legal actions for acts of sexual abuse against children. According to the law, child sexual abuse victims can file a lawsuit up until the age of 40, or 22 years from the time they turn 18. But there is another standard that applies to adult survivors of juvenile hall sexual abuse, which is known as the discovery rule. Under this rule, you have 5 years from the discovery of abuse, or the impact of sexual abuse, to file a lawsuit.

Let’s say, for example, that a girl at a juvenile hall was sexually molested by a probation officer for several months. Because she’s unable to process what’s happening to her, she represses the memories of abuse and says nothing to her family when she goes back home. She stays silent for many years, until she can no longer repress memories of the abuser groping her breasts, engaging her in sexually explicit conversations, and asking for oral sex in exchange for better food and other privileges. Her feelings of repulsion, shame, and anxiety cause mental health disorders, which require her to see a therapist.

This is a common example of how adult survivors realize the effects of sexual abuse as a minor. Thus, if you discover the impact of juvenile hall sexual assault past the age of 40, you may still have the right to file a lawsuit under the 5-year discovery rule.

If you have any questions about the statute of limitations for a sexual abuse lawsuit, please contact us to speak with an Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility abuse attorney.

Legal Advice from a Childhood Sexual Assault Lawyer

Youth offenders are judged harshly by many members of society, but at the end of the day, it’s important to remember that we are dealing with children. All children, regardless of what they’ve done, have the right to be treated in a humane and respectful manner. And those who are subjected to sexual assault and other abuses have the right to seek help from a lawyer who can sue the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Facility.

Normandie Law Firm is comprised of attorneys who have been fighting for the rights of child sex abuse victims for many years. We have taken on cases against city, county, state, and federal agencies, and we know what it takes to secure a favorable settlement on behalf of our clients. In the meantime, we don’t want to add to your financial burdens, which is why we offer a Zero Fee Guarantee. You pay nothing upfront when you hire us, as we charge all legal fees to the defendant. That means the only way we get paid for the cost of representing you is by winning your case.

A free case evaluation with a childhood sexual assault lawyer is just a phone call away, so please take a moment to contact us.

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