Erik Heipt: Government’s Delay in Publishing Jail Death Statistics is Alarming and Unacceptable

The Huffington Post has published an article discussing the U.S. Justice Department’s delay in releasing important data concerning deaths that occur in jails nationwide. The article, which is dated July 13, 2018, explains that this delay prevents the public from gaining access to reliable data concerning jail mortality. Budge & Heipt attorney Erik Heipt is […]

Washington State Association for Justice Publishes Article by Ed Budge

The Washington State Association for Justice has published an article by attorney Ed Budge in the June, 2018 edition of the Trial News. The article, which relates to new legal standards in cases involving inadequate medical care in jail, is reprinted below: Medical Neglect in Jail: The Ninth Circuit Widens the Door to Section 1983 […]

Seattle Times Reports on Deadly Police Shooting Being Handled by Budge & Heipt

The Seattle Times is reporting on an excessive force case being handled by Budge & Heipt. The case involves a 2017 fatal police shooting that occurred in Lynnwood, Washington — a suburb of Seattle. From the May 14, 2018 Seattle Times: ‘I believe the officer murdered the young man’: 12 witnesses dispute Lynnwood officer’s account […]

The Use of Deadly Force by Police Officers: Can Internal Investigations Be Trusted?

When a police officer uses deadly force against a citizen, there will almost always be an internal investigation. Often the investigation will be conducted by the very police agency employing the officer who used the force. Sometimes a different police agency, or even several police agencies, will conduct the investigation. Either way, police investigations of […]

Jail Health Care Contractor Charged With Falsifying Inmate Records

In a matter related to a case being handled by Budge & Heipt on behalf of the estate of a man who died in the Milwaukee County Jail, Milwaukee County prosecutors have filed criminal charges against Armor Correctional Health Services, the company that contracted to provide health care services to inmates at the jail. The […]

Milwaukee Jail Officers Face Charges in Case Being Handled by Budge & Heipt

The New York Times is reporting on a case being handled by Budge & Heipt. The case involves the death of a jail inmate from dehydration after the water to his cell was intentionally turned off. As reported by the New York Times, three Milwaukee Jail officers are facing criminal charges for, among other things, […]

Colorado Springs Gazette Reports on Status of Jail Death Case Being Handled by Budge & Heipt

The Colorado Springs Gazette has reported on recent developments in the case of the death of John Patrick Walter, who died in the Fremont County Jail in Canon City, Colorado. Jail death attorneys, Budge & Heipt, are handling the case on behalf of Mr. Walter’s estate. From the Colorado Springs Gazette: New allegations of brutality, […]

Jail Deaths Involving Pretrial Detainees: Arguing for a Less Demanding Standard of Proof in Cases of Medical Neglect

Federal civil rights cases involving the deaths of those confined in jail or prison can be analyzed under either the Eighth Amendment or the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Eighth Amendment, which prohibits “cruel and unusual punishment,” applies to the rights of convicted prisoners. The Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees “due process,” applies to […]

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