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Georgia Jury Awards $15,000 for Illegal Strip Search
Marilyn Snyder was pulled over in Georgia's Habersham County for
suspected driving while under the influence. After she failed a roadside
breath test, she was taken to the county jail where she was strip-
searched. Thereafter, Snyder was given an Intoxilizer test, which
determined she was not illegally intoxicated. That resulted in Snyder
being released from custody.
Snyder sued in federal court, alleging she was illegally searched
in violation of her Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable
searches. She maintained that because she was found not to be
intoxicated, there was no probable cause for the strip search. Snyder
sued Sheriff Richard Moore and three deputies who conducted or were
present at the time of the strip search.
At trial, the defendants acknowledged Snyder had been improperly
strip-searched. However, they concentrated their defense on the issue of
damages. Their closing argument focused upon the fact the strip search
lasted only three to five minutes and the jury should award Snyder only a
few thousand dollars for each of those minutes.
On January 13, 2003, after less than an hour's deliberation, the
jury awarded Snyder $15,000 against Moore and defense verdicts for the
other defendants. Snyder was represented by Michael J. Bowers of Atlanta.
See: Snyder v. Moore, USDC, Hall County, Georgia, Case No: 01-CV-181.
suspected driving while under the influence. After she failed a roadside
breath test, she was taken to the county jail where she was strip-
searched. Thereafter, Snyder was given an Intoxilizer test, which
determined she was not illegally intoxicated. That resulted in Snyder
being released from custody.
Snyder sued in federal court, alleging she was illegally searched
in violation of her Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable
searches. She maintained that because she was found not to be
intoxicated, there was no probable cause for the strip search. Snyder
sued Sheriff Richard Moore and three deputies who conducted or were
present at the time of the strip search.
At trial, the defendants acknowledged Snyder had been improperly
strip-searched. However, they concentrated their defense on the issue of
damages. Their closing argument focused upon the fact the strip search
lasted only three to five minutes and the jury should award Snyder only a
few thousand dollars for each of those minutes.
On January 13, 2003, after less than an hour's deliberation, the
jury awarded Snyder $15,000 against Moore and defense verdicts for the
other defendants. Snyder was represented by Michael J. Bowers of Atlanta.
See: Snyder v. Moore, USDC, Hall County, Georgia, Case No: 01-CV-181.
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Related legal case
Snyder v. Moore
| Year | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Cite | USDC, Hall County, Georgia, Case No: 01-CV-181 |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 15000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |