Strandell v. Jackson County, Illinois

After Michael Strandell was arrested, strip-searched, and jailed by Jackson County, Illinois (defendant), and subsequently committed suicide, his parents (plaintiffs) sued the county alleging civil-rights violations, seeking $500,000; the county refused to discuss settlement. At a pretrial conference, the court suggested a nonbinding summary jury trial to encourage settlement, but the Strandells' attorney, Thomas Tobin, refused, explaining a summary trial would force him to disclose privileged material. The court nonetheless ordered the parties to participate, Tobin again refused, and the court held him in criminal contempt with a $500 fine; Tobin appealed.