Facts

On June 26, 2016, plaintiff Ashley Watts took a taxi to her apartment in Newport Beach. Watts attempted to pay the $16.40 fare with a credit card, but her card was declined. Watts asked the taxi driver, Ali Khandantabrizi, if she could get money for the fare from her apartment. However, Khandantabrizi refused to let her go and called the police.

Newport Beach Police Officers Christine Maroney and Monica Aguilar arrived and accompanied Watts to her apartment to retrieve money to pay the fare. The officers attempted to follow Watts into her apartment, but Watts verbally objected to the entry. The officers ultimately arrested Watts on charges of public intoxication, petty theft, and obstructing a police officer.

Watts brought suit against the two officers; Jamison Hughes, an officer who arrived at the scene some time after Maroney and Aguilar; Sergeant Joshua Comte, the officers' supervisor; the City of Newport Beach; Khandantabrizi; and American Ground Transportation Inc., the taxi company.

The City and Sergeant Comte were dismissed from the case on summary judgment.

The Court of Appeals found that the officers had qualified immunity for the excessive force claims but the Court of Appeals allowed the false arrest claims to proceed forward (until those claims were subsequently settled).

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that her arrest was unlawful, that the officers used excessive force, and that the officers' entry into her home was unlawful in violation of the Fourth Amendment. Plaintiff also contended that the arrest was retaliatory in violation of her First Amendment rights.

As to Khandantabrizi, plaintiff contended that he falsely imprisoned her by refusing to let her go to her apartment to get money.

Plaintiff contended that both Khandantabrizi and the officers acted maliciously.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Officers Maroney and Aguilar contended that they had sufficient cause to arrest Watts. Khandantabrizi contended that he did not call the police maliciously, did not refuse to let Watts leave the taxi, and was only trying to collect his fare.

Damages

Watts sought compensatory damages of $5,000,000, and punitive damages of $5,000,000.

Injuries

Watts suffered emotional distress.

Result

The case for $370,000.