ÿþ<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"> <html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <title>Broward County Strip Search Settlement</title> <link href="cStyles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"><link /> <style type="text/css"> <!-- .style1 {color: #FFFFFF} --> </style> </head> <body> <table width="100%" border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td align="center" nowrap bgcolor="#666666" style="height: 50px" > <div align="center"> <span class="BannerTitle1">Broward County Strip Search Settlement</span></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <div align="left"> <img src="images/line.gif" width="100%" height="1" alt="line"></div> </td> </tr> </table> <td valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" > <table border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" > <tr valign="top"> <td height="500" bgcolor="#F3F5F5" style="width: 151px"> <table border="2" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="menu"> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="whitesmoke" style="width: 191px"> <a href="index.htm" class="link2">Home</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgColor="whitesmoke" style="width: 191px" > <a href="pdfs/Notice_of_Proposed_Settlement_and_Hearing.pdf" target="_blank" class="link2">Notice of Proposed Settlement and Hearing</a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgColor="whitesmoke" style="width: 191px" > <a href="pdfs/Claim_Form_and_Release.pdf" target="_blank" class="link2">Claim Form and Release</a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgColor="gainsboro" style="width: 191px" > <a href="faq.htm" class="link2">Frequently Asked Questions</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgColor="whitesmoke" style="width: 191px"> <a href="Documents.htm" class="link2">Court Documents</a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgColor="whitesmoke" style="width: 191px"> <a href="Contacts.htm" class="link2">Contact Information</a></td> </tr> </table> </td> <td height="500"> <p align="center" class="title1"> FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS <br /> <br /> </p> <p> </p> <ol> <li class="list1"><a href="#1" class="faqLinks_u">What Is This Lawsuit About?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#2" class="faqLinks_u">Why Is This A Class Action?</a></li> <li class="list1"><a href="#3" class="faqLinks_u">Why Is There A Settlement?</a></li> <li class="list1"><a href="#4" class="faqLinks_u">How Do I Know If I Am Part Of The Settlement?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#5" class="faqLinks_u">Do I Need To Prove That I Was Strip Searched And What Does That Mean?</a></li> <li class="list1"><a href="#6" class="faqLinks_u">How Do I Know Whether The Crime For Which I Was Arrested In Broward County Qualifies Me For Inclusion In The Class?</a></li> <li class="list1"><a href="#7" class="faqLinks_u">I Was Arrested In Broward County But I Cannot Remember What My Criminal Charges Were. How Can I Find This Out and How Do I Know If The Charge Satisfies The Class Description?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#8" class="faqLinks_u">What If I Was Arrested In Broward County On More Than One Occasion? Can I Still Participate In The Settlement?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#9" class="faqLinks_u">I Am Still Not Sure If I Am Included.</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#10" class="faqLinks_u">What Does The Settlement Provide?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#11" class="faqLinks_u">What Can I Get From The Settlement?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#12" class="faqLinks_u">How Can I Get A Payment?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#13" class="faqLinks_u">When Would I Get My Payment?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#14" class="faqLinks_u">What Am I Giving Up To Get A Payment Or Stay In The Class?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#15" class="faqLinks_u">How Do I Get Out Of The Settlement?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#16" class="faqLinks_u">If I Do Not Exclude Myself, Can I Sue Broward County and Broward County Sheriff s Office For The Same Thing Later?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#17" class="faqLinks_u">If I Exclude Myself, Can I Get Money From The Settlement?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#18" class="faqLinks_u">Do I Have A Lawyer In This Case?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#19" class="faqLinks_u">How Will The Lawyers and The Class Representatives Be Paid?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#20" class="faqLinks_u">How Do I Tell The Court That I Do Not Like The Settlement?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#21" class="faqLinks_u">What Is The Difference Between Objecting and Excluding Myself?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#22" class="faqLinks_u">When and Where Will The Court Decide Whether To Approve The Settlement?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#23" class="faqLinks_u">Do I Have To Come To The Hearing?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#24" class="faqLinks_u">May I Speak At The Hearing?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#25" class="faqLinks_u">What Happens If I Do Nothing At All?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#26" class="faqLinks_u">Are There More Details About The Settlement?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#27" class="faqLinks_u">How Do I Get More Information?</a> </li> <li class="list1"><a href="#28" class="faqLinks_u">Will Claims Filed After the September 2, 2008 Filing Deadline Be Accepted?</a> </li> </ol> <hr /> <p class="Noticetext" style="margin: 0in 0in 3pt"> </p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="1"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 1.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal;"> What Is This Lawsuit About?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">Plaintiffs claim in this lawsuit that officers employed by the Broward County Sheriff s Office strip searched individuals after December 13, 1998 who were arrested for a traffic, regulatory or misdemeanor offense without probable cause to believe that the person arrested concealed a weapon, a controlled substance, or stolen property in violation of the unreasonable search provisions of the U.S. Constitution, <u>OR</u> strip searched individuals despite a finding by a Judge at first appearance that the person could be released on recognizance or bond and no valid justification existed for the search. Defendants deny that they did anything wrong, and contend that even if they did do anything wrong, Plaintiffs are not entitled to any money as a result of being searched. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="2"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; height: 18px;" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 2.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal;"> Why Is This A Class Action?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify"> In a class action, one or more people, called Class Representatives (in this case Martha Echeverry and Daisy Cole) sue on behalf of all people who have similar claims. All of these people are a Class or Class Members. A class action resolves the issues for all Class Members, except for those who exclude themselves from the Class. The Honorable Jeffrey E. Streitfeld is in charge of this class action. <br /><br /> </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="3"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 3.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Why Is There A Settlement</span>?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> The Court did not decide in favor of Plaintiffs or Defendants. Instead, both sides agreed to a settlement. That way, they avoid the costs and risks of a trial, and the people affected will get compensation. The Class Representatives and their attorneys think the settlement is best for everyone who are alleged to have been illegally strip searched.</span><br /> </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="4"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"> 4.&nbsp; &nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal">How Do I Know If I Am Part Of The Settlement?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> Judge Streitfeld decided that everyone who fits this description is a Class Member:<table> <tr> <td style="width: 25px; height: 54px;" valign="top"> (1)</td> <td style="width: 19px; height: 54px;"> </td> <td style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: top; overflow: auto;" valign="top"> any person arrested in Broward County on or after December 13, 1998 for a traffic, regulatory, or misdemeanor offense who was strip searched by officers of the Broward County Sheriff s Office without probable cause to believe that the person arrested concealed a weapon, a controlled substance, or stolen property; and</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 25px" valign="top"> (2)</td> <td style="width: 19px"> </td> <td style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: top; overflow: auto;" valign="top"> any person arrested in Broward County on or after December 13, 1998 for a traffic, regulatory, or misdemeanor offense who was strip searched by officers from the Broward County Sheriff s Office despite a finding by the Judge at first appearance that the person arrested could be released on recognizance or bond and no valid justification existed for the search. </td> </tr> </table> </span> Specifically excluded from the Class are Defendants and any and all of their respective affiliates, legal representatives, heirs, successors, employees or assignees. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> </span> </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="5"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> Do I Need To Prove That I Was Strip Searched And What Does That Mean?</span></p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify"> In filling out the Claim Form, you will affirm, under penalty of perjury, that you are a member of the described Class and were strip searched during the time period at issue. Provided that your name is detailed in jail records maintained by Broward County Sheriff s Office, and such records indicate that you qualify as a Class Member, you will be entitled to payment. If your name is not contained in Broward County Sheriff s Office records, you may be asked to provide additional documentation before being allowed to participate in the settlement.<br /><br /> If you believe you are a member of the Settlement Class as defined above in Section 4, and you were strip searched before November 6, 2001, and you were not moved from the Main Jail in Fort Lauderdale, there may not be documentation in the Broward County Sheriff s Office records supporting your claim. Therefore, you should consider opting out unless you believe you can otherwise through documentation establish that you were strip searched.<br /><br /> A strip search occurred when you were ordered to take off some or all of your clothes by a Broward County employee, with that employee watching you undress. Some members of the Class may also have been forced to bend at the waist or manipulate body parts to allow for a visual inspection. If you were searched in this manner and you are a member of the Class, you are entitled to make a claim. You will need to provide an affirmation on the Claim Form confirming that one of these searches was conducted, and such claim must be verified. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="6"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 6.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal;"> How Do I Know Whether The Crime For Which I Was Arrested In Broward County Qualifies Me For Inclusion In The Class?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">To be eligible to recover you must have been arrested in Broward County, Florida between December 13, 1998 and October 5, 2007, for traffic, regulatory or misdemeanor offenses only and (1) were strip searched without probable cause to believe that you were concealing a weapon, a controlled substance or stolen property, <span style="text-decoration: underline"> OR</span> (2) were strip searched following a determination by a Judge at first appearance that you could be released on recognizance or bond.<br /><br /> Stated another way, persons who were charged with  indictable offenses (i.e., murder, burglary and rape are examples of indictable or felony offenses) are not members of the Class. Anyone arrested in Broward County, Florida and charged with an indictable or felony offense, even if they were also charged with a traffic, regulatory or misdemeanor offense at the same time, is not a member of the Class unless they were, on another occasion, arrested and strip searched by Broward County Sheriff s Office solely on the grounds described above. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="7"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 7.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> I Was Arrested In Broward County But I Cannot Remember What My Criminal Charges Were. How Can I Find This Out and How Do I Know If The Charge Satisfies The Class Description?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">There are several ways for potential Class Members to determine the nature of their criminal charges. First, you can review your charging documents, which should reflect your actual charges. If you do not have your charging document and remember the local court where you were prosecuted, the court clerk will be able to help you find these documents.<br /><br /> If you need additional help determining whether you are a Class Member, or if you have other questions, you can contact the Settlement Administrator or Class Counsel. The Settlement Agreement does <u>not</u> have any information regarding any specific incarceration details.<br /><br /> You can still make a claim if you do not remember your criminal charges if you believe you are a member of the Class, but you may be asked for additional information. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="8"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 8.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> What If I Was Arrested In Broward County On More Than One Occasion? Can I Still Participate In The Settlement?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">Yes. Individuals who were admitted to a Broward County Sheriff s Office detention facility on more than one occasion during the class period can be members of the class and can recover money. They can only recover one payment, however, meaning that you will not be provided with extra payments if you were arrested in Broward County and admitted to a Broward Sheriff s Office detention facility more than one time. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="9"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 9.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> I Am Still Not Sure If I Am Included.</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">If you are still not sure if you are included, you can ask for help. You can call the Settlement Administrator toll-free at 877-465-3138 or Class Counsel at 561-803-3500 who may help answer your questions or you can just fill out the Claim Form and return it to the Settlement Administrator to see if you qualify. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p align="center" class="title1"> <u>THE SETTLEMENT BENEFITS - WHAT YOU GET</u> </p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="10"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 10.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> What Does The Settlement Provide?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">Defendants have agreed to pay $11,500,000.00 to resolve this litigation. That money will be used to: (1) compensate Class Members who have been illegally strip searched; (2) pay for notifying Class Members and administering the settlement; (3) pay incentive awards to the named Plaintiffs, Martha Echeverry and Daisy Cole; and (4) pay attorneys fees and expenses. A complete description of the settlement is provided in the Settlement Agreement. You can get a copy of the Settlement Agreement by clicking on the link entitled  Court Documents . </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="11"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 11.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> What Can I Get From The Settlement?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">The settlement provides that Class Members who make claims will receive up to $1,000.00 of $11,500,000.00, minus the costs of notice and administration, an incentive award for the named Plaintiffs, attorneys fees and expenses. The amount is dependent on how many claims are received by the Settlement Administrator during the claims period, and is subject to change based on the number of claims received. No amount is guaranteed. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p align="center" class="title1"> <u>HOW YOU GET A PAYMENT - SUBMITTING A CLAIM FORM</u> </p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="12"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 12.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> How Can I Get A Payment?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">To qualify for a payment, you MUST send in a Claim Form. A Claim Form is attached to the mailed Notice. You can also download a Claim Form by clicking on the link entitled  Claim Form and Release . Read the instructions carefully, fill out the form, sign it, and mail it postmarked no later than September 1, 2008.<br /><br /> You may be asked for additional documents, and will be contacted in writing. You may want to send in your Claim Form by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, to ensure that it is received by the Settlement Administrator. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="13"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 13.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> When Would I Get My Payment?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">The Court will hold a hearing on August 15, 2008 to decide whether to approve the settlement. If Judge Streitfeld approves the settlement, there may be appeals. It is always uncertain whether those appeals can be resolved, and resolving them can take time, perhaps more than a year. The progress of the case will be updated on the Settlement Administrator s website. Please be patient. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="14"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 14.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> What Am I Giving Up To Get A Payment Or Stay In The Class?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">Unless you exclude yourself, you are staying in the Class, and that means you can t sue, continue to sue, or be part of any other lawsuit against Broward County, the Broward County Sheriff s Office, their employees, or its elected officials about the legal issues in <em>this</em> case. It also means that all the Court s orders will apply to you and legally bind you. If you sign the Claim Form, you will agree to release all claims that you have relating to having been strip searched. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p align="center" class="title1"> <u>EXCLUDING YOURSELF FROM THE SETTLEMENT</u> </p><ul style="text-align: justify"> If you do not want a payment from this settlement, but you want to keep the right to sue or continue to sue Broward County on your own about the legal issues in this case, then you must take steps to preserve these rights. This is called excluding yourself - or is sometimes referred to as  opting out of the Settlement Class. </ul> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="15"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 15.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> How Do I Get Out Of The Settlement?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">To exclude yourself from the settlement, you must send a letter by mail saying that you want to be excluded from <em>Echeverry and Cole v. County of Broward and Sheriff Kenneth C. Jenne, II.</em> Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number and your signature. You must mail your exclusion request to be received on or before July 25, 2008 to Broward County Strip Search Settlement, c/o Complete Claim Solutions, LLC, P.O. Box 24621, West Palm Beach, FL 33416.<br /><br /> You cannot exclude yourself on the phone or by email. If you ask to be excluded, you will not get any settlement payment, and you cannot object to the settlement. You will not be legally bound by anything that happens in this lawsuit. You may be able to sue (or continue to sue) Broward County Sheriff s Office in the future. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="16"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 16.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> If I Do Not Exclude Myself, Can I Sue Broward County and Broward County Sheriff s Office For The Same Thing Later?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">No. Unless you exclude yourself, you give up the right to sue Broward County or the Broward County Sheriff s Office and their employees, agents, and elected officials for the claims that this settlement involves. If you have a pending lawsuit, speak to your lawyer in that lawsuit immediately. You must exclude yourself from <em>this</em> class action to continue your own lawsuit. Remember, the exclusion deadline is July 25, 2008. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="17"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 17.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> If I Exclude Myself, Can I Get Money From The Settlement?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">No. If you exclude yourself, do not send in a Claim Form to ask for money. But, you may sue, continue to sue, or be part of a different lawsuit against these Defendants. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p align="center" class="title1"> <u>THE LAWYERS AND INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTING YOU</u> </p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="18"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 18.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> Do I Have A Lawyer In This Case?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">The Court approved Gerald F. Richman, Gary S. Betensky, and Manuel Garcia-Linares of Richman Greer, P.A., One Clearlake Centre, Suite 1504, 250 Australian Avenue South, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, and Kevin J. Kulik, 500 S.W. 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315, to represent you and other Class Members. Together, the lawyers are called Class Counsel. You will not be charged for these lawyers. If you want to be represented by your own lawyer, you may hire one at your own expense. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="19"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none; color: #000000; border-bottom: medium none; border-collapse: collapse; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"> <td style="border-right: #d4d0c8; padding-right: 5.4pt; border-top: #d4d0c8; padding-left: 5.4pt; background: #d9d9d9; padding-bottom: 0in; border-left: #d4d0c8; width: 522.8pt; padding-top: 0in; border-bottom: gray 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid gray .75pt" valign="top" width="697"> <p class="2heading" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in"> 19.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-weight: Bold; color: #000000; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background-color: #e0e0e0; font-variant: normal; "> How Will The Lawyers and The Class Representatives Be Paid?</p></td> </tr> </table> </p> <ul style="text-align: justify">Class Counsel will ask the Court for attorneys fees, and payments of $50,000.00 each for Class Representatives Martha Echeverry and Daisy Cole. The Settlement Agreement provides that $2,500,000.00 of the Settlement Fund will be paid to Class Counsel as an award of attorneys fees and for the reimbursement of costs. These amounts will be deducted from the Settlement Fund before payments are made to Class Members. The costs of administering the settlement will also be deducted from the Settlement Fund. </ul> <p align="right"><a href="#top" class="linkNavigationAlt">RETURN TO QUESTIONS</a></p> <p align="center" class="title1"> <u>OBJECTING TO THE SETTLEMENT</u> </p> <ul>You can tell the Court that you do not agree with the settlement or some part of it.</ul> <p class="faqHeads"><a name="20"></a> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; border-left: medium none;