CSH Successfully Defends Town of Zebulon

April 6, 2010 - PRLog -- Media Contact:
Cindy Stranad
919.232.5008
cindy@articulon.com


CSH Successfully Defends Town of Zebulon

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 6, 2010) — Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (www.cshlaw.com), a corporate and civil defense litigation firm, announced today court support of the Town of Zebulon police department in conducting integrity checks on police officers.

The state Court of Appeals upheld a lower court decision dismissing a civil claim that an integrity check violated the North Carolina Electronic Surveillance Act. Defense attorneys successfully argued that the integrity check was not willful, having the justifiable excuse of protecting the public and other police officers. The Zebulon Chief of Police authorized placement of a surveillance device in a Town-issued patrol car after receiving three complaints that the police officer was socializing with local drug dealers, as well as “tipping-off” those drug dealers about confidential police information.

The court’s opinion, COA09-960, which was filed February 16, 2010, can be viewed at http://www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/public/coa/opinions/2010/p....

“This was a great win for law enforcement agencies across the country dedicated to ensuring the integrity of their police force,” said Victoria Tolbert, lead defense counsel and associate of Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP. “Court supported use of limited surveillance, specifically in circumstances involving complaints of police misconduct where informants, officers, or the general public may be in danger, has provided the tools necessary to maintain the highest standards in promoting public safety.”

The state Court of Appeals’ ruling came one year after the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision in February 2009 dismissing a discrimination case filed by the same officer against the Town of Zebulon. This earlier discrimination case was also initially dismissed in a lower court, appealed, and the appellate court dismissed the case with prejudice.

Tolbert added the integrity check case to a string of successful summary judgments and dismissals on behalf of municipal governments and private companies. Since its inception, municipal and police law has been an important practice area at Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP. The firm has aggressively defended police officers and their employers from claims ranging from simple negligence to civil rights violations under the state and federal constitutions.

About Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP:
Founded in 1992, Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP is a law firm that concentrates its practice in the defense of civil claims and lawsuits, representing individuals and businesses of all types. Consistently ranked as one of the largest in North Carolina, the firm has more than 100 attorneys and three locations: Raleigh, Charlotte and Wilmington. The firm handles cases in a variety of practice areas, including medical and professional negligence, products liability, construction defects, police and municipal law, premises liability and security, trucking/transportation law, education law, employment law, workers’ compensation claims, commercial litigation, environmental and toxic torts and land condemnation. With its experienced litigators and support personnel utilizing the latest technology available, Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP is generally recognized as one of the most creative and innovative litigation firms in the state today. For more information, visit www.cshlaw.com or call 919-828-5100.