Rosas v. Baca

Rosas v. Baca seeks to end a pattern of deputies' beating inmates in Men's Central Jail, Twin Towers and the Inmate Reception Center of the Los Angeles County jails. The suit alleges that former L.A. Sheriff Lee Baca was aware of this pattern of beatings and failing to take reasonable steps to stop it. The suit seeks injunctive relief to change the culture in the jails by having LASD implement proper use of force policies, training, review of use of force incidents and discipline for those who engage in improper use of force.

UPDATE: November 9, 2023

U.S. District Court Judge Pregerson unsealed six videos that show LASD deputies using excessive force against individuals incarcerated in the L.A. Jails. These incidents persist in the jails despite the Rosas consent decree, which is intended to hold deputies accountable for violence against people in their custody. See videos: exhibit 1, exhibit 2, exhibit 3, exhibit 4, exhibit 5, exhibit 6.

UPDATE: May 31, 2023

Due to LASD’s repeated failure to implement fundamental provisions of the decree and plan (specifically ceasing the overuse of dangerous and unnecessary head strikes), ACLU filed a memorandum in support of motion to modify implementation plan. See documents here.

UPDATE: January 23, 2015
The Court granted preliminary approval of the proposed class action settlement. The Court is expected to hold a fairness hearing to consider whether to grant final approval of the settlement in late April. Read the notice describing the terms of the proposed settlement (en Español).

UPDATE: December 16, 2014
ACLU achieves landmark settlement agreement over rampant violence and abuse by guards in L.A. County Jails. Read the settlement and the implementation plan.

UPDATE: September 26, 2012
The ACLU releases “Sheriff Baca’s Strike Force: Deputy Violence and Head Injuries of Inmates in L.A. County Jails,” a report that documents LASD deputies' inappropriate use of head strikes in L.A. County jails.

RULING: June 11, 2012
The Court denies Sheriff Baca's motion to disqualify the ACLU as counsel.

RULING: June 8, 2012
The Court grants the motion for class certification to include present and future inmates in Men’s Central Jail, Twin Towers and the Inmate Reception Area. The court also made it clear that it found no merit to disqualify the ACLU as counsel. Read the class certification order.

UPDATE: April 10, 2012
The ACLU releases a report outlining a plan for closing Men's Central Jail. Read the report.

FILING: January 18, 2012
The ACLU files suit against Sheriff Baca seeking to change the culture in the jails by having LASD implement proper use of force policies, training, review of use of force incidents, and discipline for those who engage in improper use of force. Read the complaint. Read about the complaint.

UPDATE: September 28, 2011
The ACLU releases a report chronicling a severe and pervasive pattern of abuse in L.A. County jails. Read the report.