William Riback, LLC and Carl D. Poplar, P.A., Announce Class Action Settlement in 'Bizzarro et al. v. Ocean County' (Strip Search Case)

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

COURT ORDERED LEGAL NOTICE

If You Were Admitted Into The Ocean County Correctional Facility From November 28, 2005 Through December 28, 2007 For A Non-Indictable Offense And Were Strip Searched Upon Arrival, You Could Get A Payment From A Class Action Settlement.

A $1,975,000.00 (one million nine hundred seventy-five thousand dollar) settlement has been proposed in a Class Action lawsuit about the strip search policies of the Ocean County Correctional Facility (the "Jail").  If you meet the criteria explained below, you can share in this settlement.

The Superior Court of New Jersey – Ocean County authorized this notice.  The Court will have a hearing to decide whether to approve the settlement, so that the benefits may be paid.

Who's Included?

You are a Class Member and could get benefits if (1) you were admitted into the Jail from, November 28, 2005 through December 28, 2007, (2) you were charged solely with a non-indictable offense(s), such as a disorderly persons offense, traffic violation, or held on a civil matter, and (3) you were strip searched upon entry into the Jail.

What's This About?

The lawsuit claims that Defendant Ocean County and its Correction Officers' booking procedures constitute an unlawful strip search of individuals admitted into the Jail without reasonable suspicion to believe the individuals were concealing contraband.  The County of Ocean has denied those claims.  The Court did not decide which side was right, but both sides agreed to a settlement to ensure a resolution and to provide benefits to the people who were affected.

What Does the Settlement Provide?

Defendants agreed to pay a total of up to $1,200,000.00 (one million two hundred thousand dollars) for claims, including $20,000.00 (twenty thousand dollars) total as an incentive award fee to the Class Representatives, allocated ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) each; plus $150,000.00 (one hundred fifty thousand dollars) for costs of administration, plus reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, not to exceed $625,000.00 (six hundred twenty-five thousand dollars) to be applied for upon the motion for Final Approval to settle the case. 

There are 7,530 (seven thousand five hundred thirty) potential Class Members who can make claims. Ocean County may challenge any claim as not meeting the Class Definition.  If the claims made exceed 4,000 (four thousand) claims the amount received per claim will be reduced pro rata.  You may make only one claim regardless of the number of admissions and/or strip searches you were subjected to during the Class Period. Each Class Member who makes a valid claim who meets the Class Definition will receive up to $300.00 (three hundred dollars). 

How Do You Ask For A Payment?

A detailed Notice and Claim Form package contains everything you need.  Call 866-828-2555 or visit the settlement website, www.OceanCountyStripSearch.com, to get one.  To qualify for a payment, you must send in a Claim Form.  Claim Forms are due by February 1, 2019.

What Are Your Other Options?

If you want to share in the settlement, you can obtain a Claim Form, as just explained, and return it according to its directions.  If you do not want the settlement benefits or do not want to be legally bound by the settlement, you must exclude yourself by December 15, 2018.  If you exclude yourself, you cannot receive any benefits from this settlement, but you could bring a separate case against the Defendants, if you want to.  If you stay in the settlement, you may object to it by December 15, 2018.  The detailed notice, available by calling or visiting the website below, explains how to exclude yourself or object.

The Court will hold a hearing in this case, Bizzarro et al. v. Ocean County, Docket  OCN-1644-17, on April 16, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., to consider whether to approve the settlement and a request by the lawyers, representing all Class Members,

for attorneys' fees and costs.  You may ask to appear at the hearing, but you do not have to.  For more information, call toll-free 866-828-2555, visit the settlement website www.OceanCountyStripSearch.com, or write to: Ocean County Settlement, c/o A.B. Data, Ltd., P.O. Box 170500, Milwaukee, WI 53217.

SOURCE William Riback, LLC