Opinion
15-cv-12552
07-11-2022
MICHAEL DORMAN, et al., Plaintiffs, v. TOWNSHIP OF CLINTON, Defendant.
ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT'S REQUEST TO EXCLUDE PUNITIVE DAMAGES
Hon. Matthew F. Leitman Judge
Defendant Clinton Township has requested that the Court bar Plaintiffs from seeking an award of punitive damages at trial under either 42 U.S.C. § 1983 or the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. The parties thereafter filed several supplemental briefs on this issue. (See Supp. Brs., ECF Nos. 163, 165, 167, 170, 171, 173, 174.) On July 11, 2022, the Court held an on-the-record status conference to discuss the punitive damages issue. For the reasons explained on the record during that conference, the Township's request is GRANTED. Absent further order of the Court, Plaintiffs shall not mention punitive damages at trial, and they shall not be permitted to seek an award of punitive damages from the jury.
It is further ordered that for the reasons explained on the record during the status conference, the July 12, 2022, trial in this matter is ADJOURNED.
Finally, Plaintiffs may file a motion asking the Court to certify its punitive damages ruling for an interlocutory appeal by no later than August 8, 2022 . The Township may file a response by no later than September 6, 2022 .
IT IS SO ORDERED.