Federal Court Dismisses Suit on Juvenile Hall

A federal judge has dismissed an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit protesting alleged conditions at Orange County Juvenile Hall with an explanation that the case should be filed in a state court.

ACLU attorney Harry Lerner, who filed the suit in August, said he will refile the action in Orange County Superior Court as soon as possible.

The ACLU had filed the action in federal court because it also included allegations of misconduct by Sheriff’s Department officials against inmates at the Orange County Jail. Conditions at that detention facility already are before U.S. District Judge William P. Gray.

Lerner’s lawsuit claims that Juvenile Hall wards are severely beaten by the staff and sometimes tied to their beds for prolonged periods. County officials who operate Juvenile Hall deny that any mistreatment takes place.

Gray this week said he would incorporate the Orange County Jail complaints into the ACLU case already pending before him but would not hear the Juvenile Hall complaint. For the last 2 1/2 years, Gray has monitored overcrowded conditions at the jail and has issued numerous orders aimed at reducing the population at the main men’s jail from more than 2,500 to less than 1,400.