Facts

On Dec. 12, 2017, plaintiff was at home in La Crescenta with his girlfriend Hisao-Chun Huang. Plaintiff and Huang had an oral argument, and plaintiff requested that Huang leave his home. Huang refused. Plaintiff then called 911 to have his girlfriend removed from his home. After plaintiff called 911, defendant Los Angeles County police officers arrived at plaintiff's home and immediately handcuffed and detained him.

Plaintiff sued the County of Los Angeles, claiming false arrest.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff claimed that before any deputies arrived, Huang began to strike herself very aggressively in her face, causing bruising and a black eye. Plaintiff recorded video on his cell phone of Huang causing the self-inflicted harm. Plaintiff claimed Huang had a history of harming herself by punching and striking herself in her face. During his arrest, plaintiff told defendant officer to review the video footage on his cell phone that showed Huang causing self-inflicted injuries. Defendant first refused to review the video footage and placed plaintiff in the back of a patrol car.

Defendant then interviewed Huang in the presence of plaintiff's cell phone, which recorded the interview, Huang repeatedly told defendant that she self-inflicted her injuries, that plaintiff did not strike her, and that she has a history of self-inflicted injuries. At no time did Huang ever allege that she was abused or physically assaulted by plaintiff. Defendant did not release plaintiff from the back of the patrol car upon interviewing Huang, and instead, defendant arrested plaintiff for domestic violence when there was no probable cause to do so.
Plaintiff was never charged with domestic violence, or any crime.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant disputed all allegations.

Result

The parties agreed to a $60,000 settlement.