The lawyers at Budge & Heipt are distinguished in our area of focus: representing victims and their loved ones following death or serious injury that has occurred in jail or prison, as well as cases involving death or serious injury from excessive police force. Due to our experience and focus on these cases, we periodically blog about issues surrounding these cases. Because every case is different, our blog should not be taken as legal advice. To discuss your case specifically, contact our firm.
NBC News is reporting on a case filed on May 24, 2017 by jail death attorneys Budge & Heipt. The case involves the death of Michael Sabbie, a pretrial detainee and father of four who was being held at the Bi-State Jail located on the border of Texas and Arkansas. From NBC News, May 25, […]
From the Colorado Springs Gazette, May 14, 2017: Cause-of-death finding bolsters cover-up claim in Fremont County jail inmate’s death By: Lance Benzel May 14, 2017 Updated: May 15, 2017 at 12:12 pm The El Paso County Coroner’s Office has issued a finding in the 2014 death of a Fremont County jail inmate that backs up […]
The Huffington Post is reporting on a jail death case being handled by Budge & Heipt. The case arises from the death of a mentally ill man in the Milwaukee County Jail. The man, Terrill Thomas, died of profound dehydration after jailers cut off the water supply to his cell. Jail death attorneys Budge & […]
Budge & Heipt has successfully defeated a partial motion to dismiss filed by Correctional Healthcare Companies, Inc. and related entities in a lawsuit alleging the death of a jail inmate from benzodiazepine withdrawal. Judge William J. Martinez of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, in a 22-page ruling, denied a motion for […]
A federal judge in Tacoma, Washington has denied an effort by attorneys for Pierce County, Washington to dismiss a case brought by Budge & Heipt arising from the death of a jail inmate. The case arises from the death of Matthew Smith, a 47 year-old pretrial detainee being confined in the Pierce County Jail. Mr. […]
Washington’s Everett Herald is reporting on a recent victory by Budge & Heipt in a jail death case. Budge & Heipt has successfully beaten a defense claim of “qualified immunity” in a case arising from the death of a jail inmate. The defense of qualified immunity is often raised by the defense in jail death […]
October 27, 2016: CNN is reporting on a jail death case being handled by Budge & Heipt. The case arises from the tragic and preventable death of Michael Sabbie, a husband and father of four, while confined in a jail run by a private for-profit corporation. Video from the events captured Mr. Sabbie pleading for […]
The attorneys at Budge & Heipt regularly monitor important new court rulings that may impact jail death cases. On August 15, 2016, the federal appeals court that covers most of the Western United States issued an important new decision that may significantly benefit those who have lost loved ones who have died in jail. The […]
In wrongful death cases arising from an inmate’s death in jail, federal claims may be asserted under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 for violations of the 14th Amendment (in the case of pretrial detainees) or the 8th Amendment (in the case of convicted prisoners). Regardless of which kind of claim is asserted, however, it must generally […]
Jail inmates have various rights under the United States Constitution. When an inmate dies in custody due to a violation of these rights, a claim may often be asserted in federal court under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 for the unconstitutional death. When considering the full range of legal claims that should be asserted arising out […]
If you or a loved one has been a victim of serious injury and/or death at the hands of police or in jail or prison, tell us about your case.