Facts

Plaintiff Terry Muhammad filed a civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 against defendants the county of Los Angeles and three L.A. County sheriff's deputies, following her arrest at the 7th Street/Metro Center in Los Angeles.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff, 51, contended that she was subjected to unlawful use of force and unlawfully arrested and held in jail for nearly six days. Specifically, she claimed that she was falsely accused of battery upon a peace officer after being asked for her identification and proof of fare payment. She denied that she committed battery or even touched Deputy Ware and argued that he was the one who suddenly and aggressively moved towards her and physically moved her backwards in an intimidating manner before arresting her.

Plaintiff also asserted causes of action for false arrest and imprisonment, and violation of California Civil Code Section 52.1.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Defendants contended that plaintiff walked past and ignored them when they attempted to speak with her regarding her failure to pay the train fare and shoved Deputy Ware in the center of his chest with both hands after he asked for her identification a second time. Defendants argued this showed there was probable cause to arrest plaintiff for battery upon a peace officer.

Result

Plaintiff settled with the county of Los Angeles for $49,000.

Other Information

FILING DATE: Feb. 19, 2015.