A Florida jury found for the plaintiff in a false arrest claim on February 28, 2013. The plaintiff, Dale Picardat, Jr., alleged that he was accosted by Miami Beach police officer Glenn Teboe when he was walking to his ex-girlfriend's house to install hurricane shutters. Because Picardat was carrying a bag of tools, Teboe asked him if he lived in the area. Picardat, who had done nothing wrong, refused to produce identification when asked, and was subsequently arrested for loitering, prowling and resisting an officer.

Picardat then spent a day in jail, during which he claimed a jail guard punched him in the face and pushed his head into a wall. Upon his release, he visited Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for superficial injuries. Picardat then sued for false arrest. His attorney, Allison J. Leonard of Pitano & Associates PA argued that Picardat suffered emotional distress, embarrassment, humiliation and damage to his reputation because of the arrest. After a three day trial and two hours of deliberation, the jury found for Picardat. He was awarded $2,347 for past medical costs and $100,000 for pain and suffering.

See: Picardat, Jr. v. City of Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County Circuit Court, 11th Circuit, Case No. 11-18587-CA-1.

Subscribe today

Already a subscriber? Login