Classaction Certification

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

Mary Smith, et al.

No. 12345

Plaintiffs Judge: _____

v.

Michigan Sheriffs' Association, et al.

Defendants

John Doe (ID Number 3345)

Jolles, Piccione & Murphy

3475 Plymouth Road

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

(734) 867-5309

PLAINTIFFS' BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES

I. Whether the Court should enter an order certifying that this action may be maintained as a class action and designating the Named Plaintiffs as Class Representatives.

II. Whether the Court should enter an order bifurcating this class action into a liability phase for the Plaintiff Class and an additional phase for liability and damages for the class and the three subclasses, as well as designating Named Plaintiffs as Subclass Representatives.

III. Whether the Court should enter an order certifying the named Defendants as a Defendant Class and designating the Named Defendant as Class Representative.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'.... 1

SUMMARY OF FACTS Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'.....Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'.... 2

LEGAL STANDARDS Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'.... 3

ARGUMENT Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'.... 4

I. THE PLAINTIFF CLASS SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 23 AND SHOULD BE CERTIFIED. Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'... 4

A The Plaintiff Class Meets the Rule 23(a) Prerequisites Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'... 4

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1. The Plaintiff Class Has Numerosity: 23(a)(1) Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'.... 4

2. Questions of Both Law and Fact Are Common to the Class: 23(a)(2) Ð'...Ð'...Ð'... 5

3. The Representative Plaintiffs' Claims are Typical of the Class Members' Claims: 23(a)(3) Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'.... 7

4. The Representatives Will Adequately Represent

the Class Members: 23(a)(4) Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'..... 8

B. Certification under (b)(2) is Proper Because the Defendants' Conduct Affects All the Plaintiffs and Must Be Enjoined Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'..... 10

C. Certification under (b)(3) is Also Proper Because of the Financial Harm to the Plaintiffs. Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'......Ð'...Ð'... 13

1. Common Questions of Law and Fact Predominate Over Individual Class Member Issues Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'....Ð'... 13

2. A Class Action Lawsuit is a Superior Method for Resolving the Improper Property Seizure Controversy Than Individual Litigation Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'..... 14

II. THE COURT SHOULD CERTIFY THREE PLAINTIFF SUBCLASSES AND BIFURCATE THE CASE. Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'... 16

A. The Plaintiff Subclasses Satisfy the Rule 23(a) Prerequisites Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'...Ð'... 17

1. The Plaintiff Subclasses are so Numerous that Joinder is Not Practicable Ð'... 17

2. The Subclass Members have Common Questions of Law and Fact Ð'...Ð'...Ð'... 17

3. The Claims of the Named