Access to Justice

JUDGE UPHOLDS MALDEF WESTMINSTER POLICE VERDICT

Aug 14, 2014 | , ,

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California rejected a request for a new trial in the Flores v. City of Westminster case earlier this week. The Court’s decision upholds the jury’s verdict finding that Westminster discriminated and retaliated against the Latino police officers who were denied promotions and special assignments. The Court also ruled that the jury’s decision awarding $3.34 million in damages to the three Latino officers will stand.

MALDEF PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, THOMAS A. SAENZ REACTS TO THE SENATE’S FAILURE TO CONFIRM RESPECTED CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER, DEBO ADEGBILE

Mar 6, 2014 | ,

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, in a 47-52 vote, the U.S. Senate refused to end a filibuster, and thus failed to confirm respected civil rights attorney, Debo Adegbile, as Assistant Attorney General to lead the civil rights division of the U.S Department of Justice. MALDEF President and General Counsel, Thomas A. Saenz, issued the following statement in reaction:

Civil Rights Groups Express Outrage; Defendants in Hate Crime Murder of Latino, Father of Two, Receive Six- and Seven-Month Sentences

Jun 17, 2009 | ,

SHENANDOAH, PA – Today, the Schuylkill County Court sentenced Brandon Piekarsky and Derrick Donchak to six and seven months in county jail on simple assault and alcohol-related convictions, respectively. Both defendants were acquitted of third-degree murder and aggravated assault, respectively, last month after a jury trial relating to their role in the fatal beating of Luis Ramirez, a 25-year-old Mexican immigrant and father of two. Despite the evidence of a hate-driven attack that resulted in the death of a human being, the defendants were convicted of minor crimes and the corresponding convictions and sentences are wholly disproportionate to the crimes committed.

Federal Judge Finds City of Waukegan Violated the First Amendment Rights of City Protestors

Dec 24, 2008 | ,

CHICAGO, IL– The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and Miner, Barnhill & Galland announced that yesterday a federal district court judge in Chicago reminded the City of Waukegan, Mayor Richard Hyde and Police Chief William Biang that the First Amendment is alive and well. According to MALDEF Regional Counsel Ricardo Meza “a United States District Court Judge held that the City of Waukegan violated the constitutional rights of two of the plaintiffs and sufficient evidence exists for the claims of the remaining plaintiffs to go to trial.”