This case alleges that Denver police targeted plaintiff Jose Sanchez unjustifiably while he was standing lawfully on the public sidewalk outside the home of his girlfriend, plaintiff Joshinna Carreras. Police illegally detained and handcuffed Mr. Sanchez, falsely accused him of being an “illegal immigrant,” and falsely arrested him on a bogus charge of providing “false identification.” The supposedly “false” identification was a current and valid photo ID card issued by the Department of Homeland Security verifying Mr. Sanchez’s legal presence and authorization to work in the United States. Mr. Sanchez spent five days in jail on the bogus charge before it was dismissed. In the course of “investigating” Mr. Sanchez, police illegally barged into the home of Ms. Carreras when they knew she was alone and taking a shower. Police demanded that she exit the bathroom as they conducted an illegal warrantless search, rifling through cabinets, drawers, and Ms. Carreras’s purse. In this action, plaintiffs seek compensation for these violations of their constitutional rights to the equal protection of the law and to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.
ACLU press releases:
- "ACLU lawsuit -- racial profiling; illegal search at issue," ACLU News Release, March 29, 2011
- "ACLU settles racial profiling, illegal search suit; new police policies, training results," ACLU News Release, December 6, 2011
Media:
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“Jose Sanchez lawsuit alleges Denver Police Department bias, says ACLU director,” Westword, March 30, 2011
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“ACLU sues Denver police over alleged racial bias,” The Denver Post, March 29, 2011
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“ACLU Of Colorado Sues Denver Police For Alleged Racial Profiling In 2010 Arrest (UPDATE),” HuffPost, March 29, 2011, Updated December 6, 2011
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“Jose Sanchez lawsuit: $30K settlement in racial profiling case includes new police training,” Westword, December 6, 2011
ACLU case number
2010-16
