Imperial County Juvenile Hall Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Compensation for Victims Sexually Abused at Imperial County Juvenile Hall

Imperial County Juvenile Hall sexual abuse lawyers are crucial to ensuring that you receive fair compensation for the tremendous harm caused by sexual abuse. The California youth detention center sexual abuse lawyers at Injury Lawyer Team assist sexually abused minors in juvenile detention centers in filing claims in civil court against abusers, facilities, and potentially the state of California. 

Contact us today for a free consultation about legal action. 

Sexual Abuse at Imperial County Juvenile Hall, El Centro

In 2023, Imperial man Matthew Allen Petree was charged with the sexual abuse of a minor at El Centro juvenile detention facility. The abuse occurred in October 2022, while he was a shift supervisor. 

Petree’s charges included felony oral copulation of a minor, felony unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, and felony sexual battery by unlawful restraint, meaning that Petree committed these crimes while illegally holding the girl captive. He was also charged with misdemeanor sexual activity with a youth in custody. 

The age of the survivor has not been released, but the Deputy District Attorney’s office did confirm that the sexual contact was with an underage person. Petree was arrested in January 2023 and released after a court appearance, where he posted a $10,000 bail. 

The sexual abuse at El Centro is only one of thousands of cases involving underage residents of detention facilities. According to Just Detention International, approximately 17 out of every 1,000 individuals in youth detention facilities are sexually abused. 

The US Department of Justice reviewed allegations of sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers and found that there were 9,500 complaints of sexual victimization nationwide between 2007 and 2012. Of these, 18% were substantiated. Fifty-five percent involved youth-on-youth victimization, and 45% involved youth-on-staff victimization. 

According to the Department of Justice, in 2012 alone, there were 865 complaints in state juvenile facilities and 613 in locally or privately operated facilities. 32% involved inappropriate sexual contact between a staff member and an underage individual. 

In California, 30 detention officers in Downey were arrested for holding “gladiator fights” amongst inmates, resulting in physical harm. 

Over 200 women sexually abused in Los Angeles’ juvenile prisons are seeking a federal investigation into how these officers were allowed to hurt youth detainees for decades, all while the county failed to act. This abuse occurred at “Boot Camps,” where girls aged 12 to 17 were sent to avoid detention. 

Our experienced lawyers are highly familiar with the devastating impacts of sexual abuse at Imperial County Juvenile Hall and other detention centers around the country. Not only will we thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your trauma, but we will also show how institutions failed to intervene even when they knew sexual abuse occurred. 

How Long Do Victims Have to File a Lawsuit After the CA Child Victims Act?

California has some of the strongest protections for child sexual abuse survivors in the country, ensuring that minors are protected and accountability is maintained for abusers and institutions. 

The CA Child Victims Act (AB 452) entirely abolished the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse. However, adult survivors who are older than 40 years old must submit signed certificates of merit from both their attorney and a licensed mental health practitioner, affirming a reasonable and meritorious basis for a lawsuit (§ 340.1). 

For example, if the abuse occurred decades prior but the survivor is only now taking legal action, the certificates of merit may explain that the defendant threatened the survivor, making them afraid to speak up. 

In other cases, the individual may have been in custody at the time of the inappropriate contact, making it more difficult to seek justice. Some survivors may not be aware until later that they were sexually abused due to dissociative amnesia or post-traumatic stress disorder. The certificate of merit should discuss these elements of the abuse. 

These limitations make it essential to work with a California sexual assault attorney who can seek out experts. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no cost to you unless with win. 

If the abuse occurred in a county-run juvenile center, the victim can file claims against the county and its employees for institutional failures to protect residents. These claims are not subject to the strict six-month statute of limitations included in the Government Claims Act (§ 905(m)). 

In addition to holding the abuser accountable, survivors can also file claims against other parties, including:

• Supervisors who knew about the abuse but failed to act
• Other staff members who did not report the sexual abuse
• Centers that negligently hired, trained, or supervised employees
• Other government agencies that are tasked with overseeing the detention system
• The county department of corrections

What Financial Compensation Can Juvenile Detention Center Sexual Abuse Victims Recover?

A civil lawsuit is separate from criminal proceedings. These lawsuits aim to provide financial compensation for the devastating impacts of sexual abuse. A juvenile detention center sexual abuse attorney from Injury Lawyer Team is crucial in determining what damages you may be entitled to and ensuring that the court fairly evaluates your injuries. 

Damages commonly awarded in these settlements include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of future income
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of normal life

Book a Free Consultation

Sexual abuse lawyers are crucial to gaining justice for sexual abuse in the detention system. Unfortunately, detention staff may dismiss allegations by youth survivors, and their attorneys will focus on diminishing the survivor’s credibility by pointing out that they were in custody at the time of the attack. Cases that occurred before the extended statute of limitations was introduced may face statutory challenges, while key evidence or witnesses may be difficult to find.

With a 98% success rate and the prestigious Super Lawyers rating, Injury Lawyer Team is committed to securing justice for survivors. We will meticulously review your case and protect your privacy throughout the process, ensuring that you can focus on healing. 

After our thorough investigation, we will begin aggressively negotiating with the defendant and other parties to secure a fair settlement based on your injuries and the overall impact on your life.

While many cases settle out of court, it’s sometimes necessary to file a lawsuit and go to trial. We understand the significant fear and anxiety this can cause, and we will be there every step of the way. Our goal is to empower you to share your story, compellingly present the facts, and demonstrate why you deserve the highest possible sum for the pain that you endured. 

As members of the American Association for Justice and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, we have a 98% success rate and are renowned for our passionate legal representation, helping the voiceless find their voice. 

Our team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no cost to hiring us unless we win your case. Schedule your free consultation today to discuss a sexual abuse case against the California detention system. 

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.