Prison Phone Justice

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AUSTIN DNISION
AUSTIN LAWYERS GUILD; CARL
GOSSETT, DAVID GRASSBAUGH,
MARK SAMPSON, and FRANCIS
WILLIAMS, for themselves and those
similarly situated; and the PRISON
JUSTICE LEAGUE,
Plaintiffs

v.
SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC;
AND TRAVIS COUNTY

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CASE NO. 1: 14-cv-00366-LY

SEffiEMENT AGREEMENT AND FULL AND FINAL *RELE~E OF
S:QYNTX ATIQBNEY ESCAMILLA. IN HIS omCIAL CAPACITY
This Settlement Agreement and Full and Final Release (hereinafter referred to as the
"County Attorney Agreement") is entered into by and between the Plaintiffs in this Cause, Case No.
l: 14-cv-00366-LY (hereafter '"this Cause") which are the Austin Lawyers Guild; Carl Gossett,
David Grassbaugh, Mark Sampson, and Francis Williams, for themselves and those similarly
situated; and the Prison Justice League (hereinafter referred to as "Plaintiffs") and Travis County
Attorney David Escamilla, in his Official Capacity, (hereafter "County Attorney Escamilla") a party
previously dismissed from this Cause by PlaintiflS pursuant to FRCP 41 (a)( 1), on behalf of Travis
County.

PlaintiflS and County Attorney Escamilla are the parties to this County Attorney

Agreement, collectively referred to as the "Parties" or "Party."

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I. Recitals
A. Whereas, Securus has contracted with Travis County to provide, among other things,
recordings of telephone calls from inmates housed and/or detained in corrections
facilities operated by Travis County.
B. Whereas, the Securus system allows attorneys who represent criminal defendants to
register their numbers on a ''private list" so that calls to their clients will be confidential
private; and not recorded, stored, collected. intercepted or monitored.

C. Whereas, Plaintiffs had previously asserted certain claims against County Attorney
Escamilla under the Federal and State Wiretap Acts, and the First, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth
Amendments to the United States Constitution related to alleged breach of attorney-client
privileged conversations between attorneys and inmates housed and/or detained at
corrections facilities operated by Travis County and the Travis County Sheriff.

D. Whereas, Plaintiffs have dismissed their lawsuit against County Attorney Escamilla and
the two other Travis County Elected Officials that Plaintiffs sued in this Cause in their
respective official capacities, District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg and Sheriff Greg
Hamilton, (hereafter "Elected Officials") pursuant to FRCP 41(a)(l).

E. Whereas, Plaintiffs have amended their Complaint and repled their claims herein,
substituting Travis County for the Elected Officials as the real party in interest.

F. Whereas, Plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint asserts certain claims against Travis
County and Securus under the Federal and State Wiretap Acts, and the First, Fourth, Fifth
and Sixth Amendments to the United States Constitution related to alleged breach of
attorney-client privileged conversations between attorneys and inmates housed and/or
detained at corrections facilities operated by Travis County and the Travis County Sheriff
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G. Whereas, Plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint does not assert any claim or allegation
of intentional or knowingly wrongful or unlawful conduct by any Elected Official.
H. Whereas, County Attorney Escamilla, although previously dismissed from this Cause by
Plaintiffs pursuant to FRCP 4l(a)(l), enters into this County Attorney Agreement to
obtain a release of any and all potential claims that could have been asserted against him
arising out of the facts made basis of this Cause.
I. Whereas, Plaintiffs specifically acknowledge herein that that there was no evidence of
intentional misconduct by any Defendant originally sued in this Cause including:
Securus, Travis County, County Attorney David Escamilla, District Attorney Rosemary
Lehmberg or Sheriff Greg Hamilton.

J. Whereas, County Attorney Escamilla denies any and all claims and allegations of
misconduct and/or wrongdoing, including, but not limited to claims and/or allegations of
knowing and/or intentional misconduct and/or wrongdoing.

K. Whereas, although no longer a party to this Cause, County Attorney Escamilla, on behalf of
Travis County, agrees to perfonn the terms and conditions pertaining to the Travis County
Attorney's Office ("TCAO"), its elected official and employees as set forth more
specifically in Section ll. D. of this County Attorney Agreement herein.

L. Whereas, County Attorney Escamilla, on behalf of Travis County desires to facilitate the
full and final settlement of all claims that arise out of this Cause or could have arisen out of
this Cause, and

M. Whereas, in addition to this County Attorney Agreement, two other agreements exist that
fully resolve this Cause: (1) the "Main Agreement'' between Plaintiffs and Defendants
Securus, Travis County and Sheriff Greg Hamilton; and (2) the "District Attorney

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Agreement" between Plaintiffs and District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg.

The Main

Agreement and the District Attorney Agreement are fully incorporated herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration oftbe mutual promises aad agreemeats hereia,
including the redtals set forth herein above, the Parties agree as follows:
D. Consideration
A. No Admission: It is agreed that the consideration cited below bas been extended by County
Attorney Escamilla on behalf of Travis County and accepted by Plaintiffs in order to
eliminate and forego further controversy or litigation; that this County Attorney Agreement
is a compromise of disputed claims; and that the consideration contained herein is not to be
constnled as an admission by any Party, all liability being expressly denied by County
Attorney Escamilla.
B. Consideration by Plai.adff for County Attorney Escamilla; Plaintiffs hereby release
County Attorney Escamilla in any and all capacities from any and all claims and/or causes
of action arising out of the Cause, or that could have arisen out of the Cause. The Parties
further each acknowledge County Attorney Escamilla is not paying any sum to settle this
matter.
C. Covenant not to sue. Plaintiffs promise and covenant never to initiate any lawsuit,
administrative or other legal action against County Attorney Escamilla in any and all
capacities arising out of the facts made basis of this Cause.
D. Promises in Facilitation of Settlement. In exchange for the release set forth in Section
II. B., above, and

m. below, County Attorney Escamilla makes the following promises

on behalf of Travis County in facilitation of the settlement reached herein:
a. PoUcies Pertaining to Attorney-Client Phone CaD Breach.
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L Website. The current TCAO policieS pertaining to attorney-client phone
call breach, attached as Exhibit A, will be placed on the website for
County Attorney Escamilla's office. This website section shall be subject
to superseding legal requirements, if any.
U. Effect. The policies set forth in Exhibit A will remain in effect while
County Attorney Escamilla remains in office.

iiL Notice of PoUcy Chan1e. On behalf of Travis County, while be remains
in office, County Attorney Escamilla will provide written notice of any
change to the policy set forth in Exhibit A to Plaintiffs' counsel and to the
"Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association" (ACDLA) President
Such notice will be provided no less than four weeks prior to any change,
unless such notice is not legally permissible. This provision is subject to
superseding legal requirements, if any.
iv. Notic:e of Ac:c:ess. If a TCAO prosecutor, or a TCAO prosecutor's agent,
accesses a defense attorney's privileged call with the defense attorney's
client, the TCAO prosecutor will provide to the defense attorney a written
notice or "access of a call" letter. An attorney's privileged call with their
client has only been "accessed" by TCAO if a TCAO prosecutor or a
TCAO prosecutor's agent bas listened to the phone call. Included in that
letter will be a notice that the defense attorney may provide a written
request to the Travis County Sheriff's Office for an access log (as
described in the Main Agreement). If the TCAO prosecutor or his or her
agent accesses this call pursuant to a superseding legal requirement, such

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as a court order, subpoena, or a search warrant, this Notice of Access
Section does not apply.
v. Case-by-Case.

Any violation of the TCAO's policy pertaining to

attorney-client phone call breach will be decided on a case-by-case basis
by County Attorney Escamilla.
vL No Consent Decree.

The Parties have not and will not enter into a

consent decree pertaining to this Cause.

vlL Not included Ia the Local Rules. The above-referenced TCAO policies
set forth in Exhibit A will not become part of the Local Rules of the
Travis County District and County Court at Law Criminal Courts.

Ill. Release by PlaiDtifl's.

Full aad FiDal Release. For and in consideration of the above promises by Plaintiffs and
County Attorney Escamilla on behalf of Travis County, the sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, and also in consideration of the mutual covenants and releases contained herein,
Plaintiffs, for themselves and their heirs, executors. successors, and assigns. agree to and do hereby
fully and forever Release, Acquit, and Discharge: County Attorney David Escamilla in his
individual capacity; and in his official capacity on behalf of Travis County, all of their past, present
or future subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors and successors in interest, heirs, executors, assigns.
officers, directors, trustees,

agents. employees, representatives and attorneys, (collectively,

"Releasees") from any and all charges, liabilities, actions, causes of action, claims, demands, suits,
losses, controversies, damages, debts, costs, and expenses (including attorney fees and costs),
present or future, vested or contingent, known or unknown, of any kind or character whatsoever,

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whether at common law, statutory law, or othawise, whether sounding in tort or in contract,
whether direct or indirect, which were asserted or could bave been asserted by Plaintiffs against
County Attorney Escamilla in his individual capacity or in his official capacity on behalf of Travis
County, Texas through the date of the execution of this County Attorney Agreement ("Claim or
Claims").
This complete County Attorney Agreement and Release includes, but is not limited to, a
release of any rights arising out of alleged violations of any contract, express or implied, any
covenant of good faith and fair dealing, express or implied, any tort, including any claim for
negligence or gross negligence on the part of any of the Releasees, of any federal, state or other
governmental statute, regulation, or ordinance, including, without limitation, the United States
Constitution, the Texas Constitution, 42 U.S.C.§ 1983, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the

Federal and State Wiretap Acts. Excluded from this County Attorney Agreement are any claims
that cannot be waived by law and any claims that arise after the date this County Attorney
Agreement is executed by Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs do waive and release, however, their right to any
monetary recovery should any agency pursue any claims on Plaintiffs' behalf.

IV. Uadertaldags by Orgaalzatioaal Plabatiffs.
The organizational Plaintiffs, Austin Lawyers Guild and Prison Justice League, agree to work
with their respective members to ensure the members are aware of the policies and procedures
with respect to the County Attorney's Office's Policies pertaining to Attorney-Client Phone Call
Breach, as set forth in ll.(D.), above.

V. Represeatatioas by PlalDtiffs.
Plaintiffs for themselves and on behalf of their heirs, executors, successors and assigns, hereby
expressly warrant and represent to all of the Parties hereby released the following:

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A. Competent. Plaintiffs are legally competent to execute this County Attorney Agreement

B. Authority of Plaintiffs' Counsel.

Plaintiffs' Counsel hereby promises that they have

authority to represent the Plaintiffs in this Cause and to enter into this County Attorney
Agreement on behalf of Plaintiffs.
C. No Assignment of Claims. Plaintiffs have not assigned, pledged or otherwise in any

manner whatsoever sold or transferred, either by instrument, in writing or otherwise, any
right, title, interest or claim that they have or may have by reason of the matters described as
being released above.

D. No Promise Ontslde Agreement. No promise or representation of any kind has been made
to County Attorney Escamilla or by anyone acting on his behalf or on behalf of Releasees

related to the matters released herein. except as is expressly stated in this County Attorney
Agreement
E. Reliance of Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs have relied solely on their own judgment and that of their

attorneys in executing this County Attorney Agreement
F. Full and Final Release. Plaintiffs understand that this is a full, complete, and final Release
of any and all claims against County Attorney EscamiJJa in any and all capacities.
G. Full and Flnal Consideration. Plaintiffs understand and fully realize that the above-stated
consideration, as well as the consideration set forth in the Main Agreement and District
Attorney Agreement, incorporated by reference in Section I. Recitals, (J.) is full and final
consideration to Plaintiffs and their counsel in resolution of this matter.
H. No other Legal Actions. Other than the current pending lawsuit, Plaintiffs have not filed

any charges, lawsuits, or other legal actions or complaints with any court or governmental
agency asserting any Claim released in Sections n. B. and

mhereof, and agree never to do

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so. Excluded from this subsection are any rights to file a charge, lawsuit, or other legal
action or complaint, which cannot be waived by law. Plaintiffs do waive and release,
however, their right to any monetary recovery should any agency pursue any claims on
Plaintiffs' behalf
I. No Fraud or Duress. Plaintiffs have not entered into this County Attorney Agreement
under fraud, duress, undue influence, or other improper conduct by County Attorney
Escamilla or any other Releasee, but enter into this County Attorney Agreement freely and
voluntarily.
VL Mfscel.laneous Provisions
A. No Waiver. No waiver, amendment, or modification of this County Attorney Agreement

shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the Party against whom it is to be enforced.
B. Governing law. This County Attorney Agreement shall in all respects be interpreted,

enforced, and governed under the laws of the State of Texas. Jurisdiction and venue for any
action to interpret or enforce this County Attorney Agreement or any provision thereof shall
be in a State District Court of Travis County, Texas.

C. Severability. In the event that one or more of the provisions, or portions thereof, of this
County Attorney Agreement is determined to be illegal or unenforceable, the remainder of
the County Attorney Agreement shall not be affected thereby and each remaining provision,
or portions thereof, shall continue to be valid and effective and shall be enforceable to the
fullest extent permitted by law.
D. Proper construction. The language of all parts of this County Attorney Agreement shall in
all cases be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against

any of the Parties. The paragraph headings used in this County Attorney Agreement are

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intended solely for convenience of reference and sball not in any manner amplify, limit,
modify or otherwise be used in the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof.

E. Attorney's fees. The Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that in the event any Party
breaches any of the terms and covenants contained in this County Attorney Agreement, any
other Party may bring suit to enforce its, his, or her rights, and the successful Party in such
litigation sball be entitled to recover of and from the breaching Party its, his or her
reasonable attorneys fees and court costs incurred in bringing such action, together with any
damages to which the Party may be entitled.
F. Multiple origi.aals. The Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that this County Attorney
Agreement may be executed in a number of identical counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original for all purposes. Exact copies of this fully executed County Attorney
Agreement shall be as enforceable as if they were an original.
G. Binding oa bein and otben. Except as set forth in Section

n.

D, above, this County

Attorney Agreement shall be binding on all Parties and upon their heirs, representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the
Parties and others released in Section

m and

each of them, to their respective heirs,

representatives, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.
H. Aduaowlectaemena. Plaintiffs acknowledge and agree that (i) they have carefully read this

County Attorney Agreement; (ii) they fully understand their right to discuss all aspects of
this County Attorney Agreement with their attorneys; (iii) they have availed themselves of
this right to the full extent (if any) that they desired; (iv) they fully understand all provisions

of this County Attorney Agreement; (v) this County Attorney Agreement constitutes the
sole and entire agreement among the Parties; (vi) they have executed this County Attorney
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Agreement voluntarily and of their own free will and accord and for the consideration herein
stated; and (vii) they enter into this County Attorney Agreement with full knowledge of the
content and effect hereof.
L Effective date. This County Attorney Agreement shall be effective upon its execution by
all Parties.

David Escami ll a':. S
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ACCEPBD AND AGREED:
The Austin Lawyera Guild

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By: tHO\ 9-t\f1Mu... t..lts: 08JA.11Yt: l>1"'Ee@g.,
Date:

3/7 //r.

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Date:

3 ..

/o - I ft

Assistant Travis County Attorneys
TRAVIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
P.O. Box 1748
Austin, Texas 78701
Counsel for Travis County Defendants

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To: TCA_~..}Oitrwtf..}lt
~ PN: Poky on Dildolure vi~ Convnunlcltion
All : PIHM rwlew the atttched Policv- it Ia the OffM:. Policv •• of today's elate. she

2U0001

EXHIBIT A

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DAVID A. UCAMI&.LA

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Travis COUOl.Y Attorney's omre PQ!icy on Pisc!OSI!Jt ofPrivilcaed CommuniCAtions

If any assistant county attorney has or obtains actual knowledac tha& he or she is in
possession or control of a potentially privileged communication between a lawyer and a criminal
lkfendanl. the nssistant county attorney shall immediately stop reviewina the potentially
privileged communication and notify his or her supervising attorney within the county attorney's
office (Division Director. Court Chict: Assistant

Di~or. and

Director as available). Tho

supervisina attorneys and the assistant county attorney shall consult about all relevant factors,

and. if the communicuuon is In foct privileacd communication and disclosi.U'CI is appropriBIC, the
as.~istant

county attorney shall disclose the existence and posses.1ion of the privileged

communication to the defendant's lawyer no later t.hal1 two business days after notifyina his or
her supervising attorney. As soon as practicable. the assistant county attorney should coordinate

with defendant's lawyer to provide them all known copies of the privileged communication in
the possession of the county attorney's office and should discuss next steps.

If the

communication is 11 recording, the supervisor should notify the entity creating of the recording.
such as the Tra-vis County Sherill"s Office.

In certain circumstance.. disclosure of the

possession of privileged communication may not be appropriate, such as durin& an investigation
in which a sc:arc:h warrant aulhori1jng law enforcement to listen to phone calls in a matter in

which a defendant or a defendant's lawyer is lhe focus of that invc.tiption or where the
defendant has waived the privilege.

2140002

EXHIBIT A