A former inmate filed a 1983 lawsuit alleging a violation of the 1st amendment and 8th amendment. He alleges NDOC employees violated the 1st amendment because his Quran was removed without legitimate reason. He alleges NDOC case workers violated the 8th amendment because they conspired to sexually assault him, failed to report or respond to his claim he was sexually assaulted, and then threatened further sexual assault. He also alleges they refused to forward his emergency grievances and threatened to file false disciplinary charges against him. He is in need of an attorney to assist him in his case through the Federal Pro Bono Program. Next Deadline(s): No upcoming deadlines.
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Bonnie Verlaine SmithCase Number: 2023-004802 (Urgent)
A group of four siblings, a 12-year-old boy, 5-year-old boy, a 4-year-old boy, and a 2-year-old girl, were removed by DFS due to neglect, improper care, lack of shelter and other care necessary for their well-being. The mother is unemployed, transient, and has a history of homelessness. DFS previously helped her obtain housing, but she did not maintain it. The parents have a lengthy history of domestic violence and the father has issues with drugs. He is in a virtual rehabilitation center. When the children were removed, the mother had an active arrest warrant and was arrested, leaving no one to care for the children. During questioning, the mother reported the father had sexually assaulted one of the children. At this time, these children are in need of an attorney to represent their legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement, visitation, and to ensure appropriate services are in place. Next Hearing(s): Review Hearing on 10/17/2023 at 3:00 pm and Review Hearing on 04/16/2024 at 2:15 pm in Courtroom 11.
Case Number: 2022-008172 (Urgent)
A group of three siblings ages 5, 4, and 3 came into DFS custody in 2019 along with their four siblings due to their mother’s lack of housing, income, or resources, untreated mental health disorders, and neglectful and harmful parenting behaviors. This case has a long torrid history of trying to get the mother the services and assistance needed to determine whether she could safely parent and consistently provide for the kids. Most recently in 2022, mom was having unsupervised visits in the community and in her home and was given the green light for in-home overnight visits. However, the first weekend of overnight visits she had an unsafe male paramour in the home with the kids and allegedly told the kids to keep it a secret. She also was reportedly unable to manage the kids’ behaviors and was verbally abusive to them. DFS decided to move forward with their Motion to Terminate Parental Rights. At this time, these three minor children are in need of an attorney to represent their legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement, visitation, and to ensure appropriate services are in place. Next Hearing(s): Permanency Planning Hearing on 12/28/2023 at 4:00 pm in Courtroom 12.
Case Number: 2023-005371 (Urgent)
An 8-year-old girl came into DFS care because of threats of impending danger because the mother’s boyfriend is a convicted child sexual offender and is normally found in the home with the girl. He is a Tier One registered sex offender and also has a history of domestic violence. The mother has a history of substance abuse and lacks the resources to provide her daughter with the basic needs. She has a history with DFS and two older children have been removed from her care. The named father has not established paternity and has had no contact with the little girl. As a result, this girl is in need of an attorney to represent her legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement, visitation, and to ensure appropriate services are in place. Next Hearing(s): Disposition Hearing on 10/18/2023 at 1:30 pm; Review Hearing on 11/01/2023 at 10:45 am and Annual Review Hearing on 05/01/2024 at 10:45 am in Courtroom 11.
Case Number: 2023-005837 (Urgent)
Sisters, ages 14 and 15, came to the attention of DFS after their current guardian refused to take them back. Their mother, who was formerly incarcerated, now expresses her desire to regain custody of the children. DFS conducted a drug test on the mother which is currently pending, and they need to evaluate the living situation. The children are currently at a local shelter. These teen girls are in need of an attorney to represent their wishes and legal rights as to permanency, placement, visitation, and to ensure appropriate services are in place. Next Hearing(s): Review Hearing on 11/08/2023 at 3:00 pm in Courtroom 13.
Case Number: 2023-006816 (Urgent)
A newborn baby girl came into DFS custody due to parental drug use and lack of resources to provide minor for the basic needs. Both mother and baby girl tested positive for amphetamines, opiates, and marijuana. The father also tested positive for drugs. Their drug use compromises their ability to care for minor child. At this time, this infant is in need of an attorney to represent her wishes and legal rights as to permanency, placement, visitation, and to ensure appropriate services are in place. Next Hearing(s): Review Hearing on 11/29/2023 at 3:00 pm in Courtroom 9.
Case Number: 2023-007276 (Urgent)
A sibling group of four children ages 14, 12, 8, and 4 went into DFS care because their mother was physically abusing them. In April 2023, the mother was arrested for Domestic Battery with a Deadly Weapon when she physically harmed her 16-year-old son by throwing a knife at him, cutting his hand. The 4-year-old reported she observed mother throw the knife at her brother. Their mother has been frequently observed punching, slapping and striking the children with open hands and belts, leaving visible marks. The father is believed to know the mother was physically abusing the children but did not act to protect them. At this time, these siblings are in need of an attorney to represent their legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement, visitation, and to ensure appropriate services are in place. Next Hearing(s): Review Hearing on 11/21/2023 at 2:30 pm in Courtroom 12.
Case Number: 2023-007419 (Urgent)
Three siblings, a 9-year-old, 6-year-old and 5-year-old came into DFS custody the mother’s drug and alcohol use has become an issue impacting her ability to care for the minor children. She admitted to DFS that she has a problem with drugs and tested positive in her urine for amphetamine. She lacks sufficient income and stable housing to provide for the basic needs of the children. Two of the possible fathers are reported to be deceased and the other father has abandoned the minor by having no contact with the child or failing to provide financial or other support for minor. As such, these three kids are in need of an attorney to represent their legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement, visitation and to ensure appropriate services are in place. Next Hearing(s): Status Check Hearing (Minor’s placement) on 10/03/2023 at 11:00 am; Review Hearing on 11/7/2023 at 1:30 pm and Permanency Planning Hearing on 05/07/2024 at 1:30 pm in Courtroom 8.
Case Number: 2023-000967 (Urgent)
A woman in her 50s filed a civil rights lawsuit against her former employer alleging discrimination based on age and race and retaliation. She alleges she was singled out, criticized, humiliated and verbally attacked after she notified management about a monkey stain on her cubicle wall. She alleges she was subjected to corrective action. When she complained of the corrective action, she was told to submit any complaints in writing, which was not the requirement for other employees younger and not the same race. In addition, she alleges age discrimination because her work responsibilities were assigned to a younger employee although there were no complaints about the quality of her work. She applied for other positions within the company and alleges management conspired with her supervisor to have her suspended from work and alleges they filed charges against her with the company’s human resources that were untrue in order to prevent her from securing another position. She was ultimately terminated. She filed a complaint with the Nevada Equal Rights Commission (NERC) in June 2020 and NERC issued a Notice of Right to Sue letter. She then filed in federal court and is seeking assistance with this case through the Federal Pro Bono Program. Next Deadline(s): Response to Defendant’s Motion to Compel Arbitration and to Dismiss the Action, or, Alternatively, to Stay the Action Pending Arbitration due 8/1/23.
Case Number: 2023-008014 (Urgent)
A group of four siblings, ages 14, 11, 8, and 5, came into DFS custody when their mother brought them to Child Haven and reported she and the children were homeless because she had lost her job and was evicted from her apartment. She received an offer for emergency housing but she refused the emergency housing, reporting that she was unstable. Despite being offered several referrals and community resources that can be utilized to support her children, she refused all services as she could not care for her children. There are three different fathers to the children and none of them have provided any financial or other type of support for their children. The Department was unable to make an assessment of two of the fathers due to lack of contact. The other father is currently incarcerated and unable to discharge his responsibilities. At this time, these children are in need of an attorney to represent their legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement, visitation, and to ensure appropriate services are in place. Next Hearing(s): Disposition Hearing on 10/24/2023 at 10;30 am; Review Hearing on 12/12/2023 at 2:15 pm and Permanency Planning Hearing on 06/12/2024 at 10:45 am in Courtroom 11.
Case Number: 2023-008335 (Urgent)
A newborn baby boy came into DFS custody after he and the mother tested positive for amphetamines and PCP. Early this year, the mother was arrested and charged with DUI and Child Abuse while she was driving under the influence with her two older children in the car. She failed to appear at her arraignment and a bench warrant has been issued. The mother experiences symptoms of PTSD and post-partum depression, which are inadequately treated and impair her ability to care for this minor child. Infant could not be released to the putative father due to a history of ongoing domestic violence incidents between him and the mother. At this time, this infant boy is in need of an attorney to represent his legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement, visitation and to ensure appropriate services are in place. Next Hearing(s): Review Hearing on 12/5/2023 at 3:30 pm and Permanency Planning Hearing on 06/04/2024 at 2:00 pm in Courtroom 10.
Case Number: 2023-009019 (Urgent)
A 10-year-old boy came into DFS custody because of domestic violence. The parents have been involved in several incidents of domestic violence in his presence, putting him at risk of harm. The parents admitted to domestic violence in the home and the minor reported witnessing the incidents and being fearful of the father. Despite the ongoing domestic violence, the mother and father have not taken steps to protect the minor. At this time, this minor boy is in need of an attorney to represent his legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement, visitation and to ensure appropriate services are in place. Next Hearing(s): Calendar Call (Further Proceedings for Mother) on 11/02/2023 at 9:45 am and Adjudicatory Trial on 11/13/2023 at 9:45 am in Courtroom 11.
Case Number: 2023-005007 (Urgent)
A former inmate filed a civil rights lawsuit because he alleges NDOC, Clark County School District, and other named defendants unconstitutionally denied him of his liberty without due process because they failed to timely and properly apply deductions to his sentence as allowed by law that would have resulted in an earlier release from prison on parole. He also claims he was denied equal opportunity under the law because he is a sex offender. He earned his high school diploma and took other vocational courses while incarcerated, which entitled him to sentence deductions under Nevada law. He calculates that the educational time was not properly applied to his sentence to make him eligible for parole 2 months prior to when he was actually released. As a result, he filed his lawsuit. In October 2022, the Court entered an Order Dismissing his First Amended Complaint and he appealed it to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In April 2023, the Ninth Circuit issued a memorandum reversing in part and affirming in part the Court’s Order and remanding the case back to the District Court with respect to the due process claim. The equal opportunity claim dismissal was affirmed. This man is in need of an attorney to assist him in his case through the Federal Pro Bono Program.
Case Number: 2023-007365 (Urgent)
This is a case involving a group of siblings ages 11, 10, 8, 6, and 1 who were removed from their parents by DFS due to homelessness and physical abuse. There are actually six kids, but this case is only for the younger five children as the oldest brother has a separate case. The parents have subjected the children to harmful behavior that terrorizes, degrades, and is emotionally painful and traumatic. The mother’s mental health conditions caused by substance abuse are inadequately treated and impair her ability to care or protect her children. Both parents have history with CPS in the state of Florida and both fled the state with the minor children. The younger five children are currently at Child Haven. At this time, these five children are in need of an attorney to represent their legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement and to ensure appropriate services are in place. Next Hearing(s): Review Hearing on 11/27/2023 at 1:30 pm in Courtroom 10.
Case Number: 2023-009230 (Urgent)
An inmate at Lovelock Correctional Center filed a 1983 claim alleging denial of proper medical care in violation of the 8th Amendment. He was experiencing a medical issue and met with a correctional facility doctor to address the issue. He states the doctor tried some treatments before recommending he see an outside medical provider. He met with the outside medical provider who he states told him the procedures done in the prison were not proper and, because of those procedures, his testicle had to be removed. He submitted multiple grievances that were denied or not resolved to his satisfaction so he filed a federal claim. He is in need of an attorney to assist him in his case through the Federal Pro Bono Program. Next Hearing: Status Conference on 9/14/2023 at 11:00 am.
Case Number: 2023-003167 (Urgent)
A former inmate filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging he was denied medical care in violation of the 8th Amendment. Specifically, he claims he complained of severe joint pain from 2016 to when he filed his complaint in 2021. He states he submitted multiple kites requesting to see a doctor, but did not see a doctor in the prison and was not examined by a nurse practitioner until 2020. Based on that visit, he was given prescription medication to address the pain, two knee braces, and an elbow brace. He was then referred to an orthopedic specialist and for x-rays. He had not seen the specialist as of the filing of the complaint on 10/8/21. He submitted multiple grievances because of the lack of medical care and they were denied. He also experienced an infection that resulted in going to the emergency room because the prison staff did not provide the emergency care he requested through emergency kites. He is seeking an attorney to represent him in his case through the Federal Pro Bono Program. Next Hearing(s)/Deadline(s): Dispositive Motions were due by 4/17/2023 and proposed Joint Pretrial Order was due by 5/17/2023. A Motion to Extend Time was filed on 4/17/23 by Defendant and nothing else filed.
Case Number: 2023-008420 (Urgent)
A man suffering from Hepatitis C, a curable disease, now has irreversible liver damage with incurable cirrhosis because the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) did not give him the treatment he needed to take care of the Hepatitis C. He believes NDOC failed to provide him with any “one of the many commercially available drugs” to cure his Hepatitis C despite knowing that not doing so would cause serious risk to his health. As a result, filed a 42 U.S.C. 1983 complaint alleging violations of the Eighth Amendment. This inmate is seeking representation through the Federal Pro Bono Program. Next Hearing(s): Status Conference on 9/19/2023 at 12:15 pm by videoconferencing.
Case Number: 2023-008715 (Urgent)
An inmate at High Desert State Prison (HDSP) alleges he was denied all medical treatment for a condition he was diagnosed with and treated for prior to entering the Nevada prison system. He was diagnosed with Scoliosis in 2003 and started treatment for it while incarcerated in Los Angeles to address the severe pain and loss of sensation it caused in his left leg and back. He did physical therapy and pain medication management through Los Angeles Women’s and Children’s Hospital. In 2004, he was extradited to Las Vegas and he informed the officers of his medical needs. He requested his medical files be transferred with him to Nevada and claims the officers refused to transfer them. He then notified CCDC of his condition when he arrived in Las Vegas but received no treatment. In 2005 and 2006, he alleges he again notified officers at two different prisons of his pain and loss of feeling and they did x-rays, but determined there was no concern and did no treatment except give him Ibuprofen. A couple years later, he was injured at Ely State Prison and could not stand, sit, walk, or lay down. He put in a medical request and they responded with Naproxen. His cell mate had to help him use the bathroom and wash his face. In 2015, he was working in the HDSP laundry room and injured his back again, more severely, causing more pain, complete loss of feeling in his left leg and groin, and loss of bladder and bowel control. In response, they gave him Ibuprofen and Naproxen. Because of the lack of medical treatment he received despite multiple requests over years, he filed a civil rights lawsuit. He would like an attorney to represent him through the Federal Pro Bono Program. Next Hearing(s): Status Conference on 9/6/23 at 3:00 pm via videoconferencing.
Case Number: 2023-010420 (Urgent)
A 7-year old boy came into DFS custody after he reported to school staff that he was struck in the back of the head with a beer bottle by his mother. The mother was charged with Child Abuse and has an ongoing case with the Henderson Justice Court. The mother experiences symptoms of PTSD and explosive anger episodes among other mental health conditions. She has not been treated accordingly for these conditions and that impairs her ability to care for the minor. The putative father’s whereabouts are unknown. At this time, this minor boy is in need of an attorney to represent his legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement and to ensure appropriate services are in place. Next Hearing(s): Adjudicatory Trial on 10/26/2023 at 11:00 am in Courtroom 13.
Case Number: 2023-008725 (Urgent)
A inmate is seeking assistance with a federal civil rights complaint stemming from alleged deliberate indifference to serious medical conditions in violation of the 8th Amendment, including a compressed spine, carpal tunnel, and nerve damage in both hands. While he received treatment, including medication and physical therapy, he alleges he has been denied surgical intervention necessary and approved to address his compressed cervical spine and carpal tunnel. Without surgical intervention, his pain and suffering has increased. He also believes the damage could be permanent, possibly leading to paralysis, if he does not receive the surgeries. He is seeking an attorney through the Federal Pro Bono Program. Next Deadline(s): Inmate Early Mediation Conference on 9/15/2023 at 01:00 PM in LV Chambers – Videoconference; Case stayed until after Inmate Early Mediation Conference
Case Number: 2023-010361 (Urgent)
An inmate at High Desert State Prison (HDSP) filed a civil rights complaint against multiple defendants for modified program operations implemented purportedly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that eliminated access to outdoor exercise for up to 6 months, then limited it to 1-2 hours per week. Because of this modification, the inmate was only able to go outside for exercise for less than 20 hours between March 18, 2020 and January 1, 2021. The prison was then put on 24/7 lockdown with only two or three 30-minute shower/phone breaks a week from January 7, 2023-February 9, 2022 and all outdoor exercise was cancelled during that time. As a result, the inmate gained 80lbs, experienced significant muscle atrophy, and his pre-existing anxiety and depression were exacerbated. After his first-level grievance was denied, he filed this lawsuit and is seeking an attorney to assist him in this case through the Federal Pro Bono Program. Next Deadline(s): Preliminary injunction related to outdoor time in place and status reports regarding compliance with the injunction are due no later than 10/13/23; Status hearing on 10/30/23 at 10:00 AM in LV Courtroom 6B.