TACOMA, WA – On Mar. 7, 2014, the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Civil Division won a lawsuit filed in federal court by a former jail inmate. The plaintiff accused the Pierce County Jail of violating her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and asked for $1 million.

“We take strong stands against frivolous and harassing lawsuits,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “We’re successfully protecting the taxpayers’ money.”

In April 2012, the plaintiff, who is deaf, was booked into the Pierce County Jail. She claimed jail staff did not provide her with a specialized text telephone (TTY), and never explained her bail. Pierce County provided evidence that the plaintiff used a TTY phone for 34 minutes during her booking process, asking her father to bail her out. Evidence also proved jail staff provided her bail amount in writing and the plaintiff never requested an interpreter or further accommodation.

The jury rejected all of her claims.