Federal Jury in San Jose California Awards Family $3.2 Million for Wrongful Removal of Children From their Home

Federal Jury in San Jose California Awards Family $3.2 Million for Wrongful Removal
of Children From their Home

San Diego, CA April 1, 2011 --

...RE: Watson, et al. v. County of Santa Clara, et al.
United States District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose Facility
Case No. C06-04029 RMW (Judge Ronald M. Whyte, Presiding)

On April 1, 2011, a San Jose Jury awarded Plaintiffs Tracy Watson, Renee Stalker and their minor children $3.2 million. The unanimous verdict included a punitive damage award of $2 million.

The case was brought by the family against the County of Santa Clara and several of its CPS workers, The City of San Jose and several of its police officers, among others to recover damages the family sustained when San Jose Police Detectives Sgt. Craig Blank and Officer William Hoyt improperly removed three children from their family home, without a warrant or just cause.

In papers filed with the court Plaintiffs alleged that on June 29, 2005, the officers illegally entered their home and improperly seized R. and S. ages 1 and 2, without a warrant or legal right (the names of the minors are withheld to protect their privacy). Plaintiffs also alleged that on June 30, 2005, the officers improperly seized another child, O. after an interview at the police interview center. Defendants City of San Jose and officers Blank and Hoyt contended that the entry into the house on June 29, 2005 and seizures of the children on June 29, and June 30, 2005, were proper. In obvious disagreement with the Defendants’ contention a unanimous jury today awarded the family an unprecedented $3.2 million. The County of Santa Clara settled with the Plaintiffs before trial. Other defendants appear to have been dismissed from the case.

Attorney PETER JOHNSON of the LAW OFFICE OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON at 319 Railroad Ave., Ste. 201; Pittsburg, California 94565 was lead trial counsel. He may be contacted at T: (925) 432-7447 F: (925) 473.0512; jjlaw2@earthlink.net

Attorney ROBERT R. POWELL of the LAW OFFICES OF ROBERT R. POWELL at 925 West Hedding Street; San Jose, California 95126, was co-counsel at trial. He may be contacted at T: 408-553-0200 F: 408-553-0203; E: rpowell@rrpassociates.com
By: David Carlin