Johnston v. Tampa Sports Authority, 06-14666.
| Decision Date | 26 June 2007 |
| Docket Number | No. 06-14666.,06-14666. |
| Citation | 490 F.3d 820 |
| Parties | Gordon JOHNSTON, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. TAMPA SPORTS AUTHORITY, Henry G. Saavedra, in his Official Capacity as Executive Director of the Tampa Sports Authority, Defendants-Appellants. |
| Court | U.S. Court of Appeals — Eleventh Circuit |
Madden, Madden & Patto, LLC, Richard A. Samp, Washington Legal Found., Washington, DC, for Amici Curiae.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Before BIRCH and FAY, Circuit Judges, and DUFFEY,* District Judge.
The issue before the Court is whether the district court erred when it refused to reconsider a state court's order enjoining Appellant Tampa Sports Authority's (the "Authority") policy of conducting pat-down searches of all ticket holders seeking to attend Tampa Bay Buccaneers (the "Buccaneers") games at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida (the "Stadium"). We conclude that Johnston consented to the searches. The district court thus erred in not reconsidering the preliminary injunction. Accordingly, we reverse and remand to the district court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
In February 2005, the Authority instituted a policy requiring brief pat-down searches of all persons attending Buccaneers football games. Johnston is a Buccaneers season ticket subscriber who first became a season ticker holder in 2001, and he has renewed his season tickets each year since 2001. The season ticket is, on its face, a revocable license for entry to the Stadium to attend Buccaneers games. The Stadium is operated by the Authority, a Florida public entity. The Authority grants the Buccaneers use of the Stadium pursuant to a Stadium Agreement (the "Agreement"). The Agreement provides that the Authority remains responsible for stadium security during Buccaneers games, and obligates the Authority to
On September 13, 2005, the Authority, at the urging of the National Football League, (the "NFL"), considered enacting a policy to conduct limited above-the-waist pat-down searches of all persons attending Buccaneers football games. The NFL urged the pat-down policy to protect members of the public who attend NFL games. The NFL concluded that NFL stadia are attractive terrorist targets based on the publicity that would be generated by an attack at an NFL game.1 The pat-down search policy focuses on the detection of improvised explosive devices ("IED") which might be carried on a person entering a stadium.
In February 2002 the NFL first implemented a policy requiring pat-down searches for Super Bowl XXVII and other special events. The NFL later expanded the policy to require pat-down searches at all football games. These pat-down searches currently are conducted at all NFL events except at the Stadium, where they have been enjoined.
The pat-down searches are conducted by outside screeners. The Authority and the Buccaneers share the expense of the screeners and the Authority oversees how the searches are conducted.2
Consistent with the policy urged by the NFL, the pat-down searches at the Stadium focus on the detection of IEDs. At each admission gate, screeners ask people entering the Stadium to hold their arms out to their side, palms up. Screeners inspect the individual for wires, detonators or other telltale signs of an IED. Screeners then run their hands lightly along the sides of the torso, and down the spine. If the individual's skin is exposed, screeners do not make contact with it. If the individual has large pockets, the screener may ask him to empty them for review of any items. Female inspectors conduct searches on females, and male inspectors inspect males.
Johnston was aware of the pat-down policy before the first game of the 2005 season.3 Press releases announcing the initiation of the pat-down policy were published in the media, on the Buccaneers's website and in a direct communication to season ticket holders. Stadium employees distributed notices about the pat-down policy to cars entering the Stadium parking lot before games. Announcements were made over loudspeakers outside of the Stadium before games, advising those who approached the Stadium that pat-downs would be conducted at the entrances. Multiple signs were placed along common walking routes, including those from parking areas to the Stadium, announcing the pat-down policy.
Johnston called the Buccaneers's office before the first game of the 2005 season to discuss the pat-down search policy. Johnston objected to the policy, and claims that he was told that the Buccaneers would not refund the cost of season tickets based solely on his objections. He stated later he would not have accepted a refund even if offered. Having been advised of the policy, Johnston nonetheless presented himself and his ticket at an entrance to the Stadium on three occasions. On each occasion, a screener advised Johnston that a pat-down search would be performed. Johnston verbally objected to the pat-down but allowed it to be conducted so that he could attend the games. After attending the second game Johnston sued the Authority in state court, seeking to enjoin the searches. After suit was filed, Johnston attended a third game, and, after offering his objection, he again submitted to a patdown search. After the third game the Florida state court enjoined the searches and Johnston attended subsequent games without being subjected to the search.
On October 13, 2005, Johnston filed suit against the Authority and Henry G. Saavedra4 in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. Johnston challenged the constitutionality of the pat-down searches under the Florida Constitution. Johnston sought nominal damages and an injunction prohibiting the searches. The state court found the searches unconstitutional under the Florida Constitution, and enjoined the Authority from continuing them.
The Authority appealed the ruling and the injunction automatically was stayed under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.310(b)(2). Johnston moved the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida to vacate the automatic stay. His motion was denied. Johnston filed an emergency motion with the Florida Second District Court of Appeals to vacate the stay. On November 4, 2005, the motion was granted and the stay of the injunction was vacated.
Johnston thereafter amended his complaint to add a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 that the searches violated the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. On November 4, 2005, the Authority removed the case to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and moved the District Court to reconsider and vacate the injunction issued by the state court. The District Court denied the motion, finding that Johnston did not consent to the pat-down searches, and that the searches violated the Fourth Amendment. This appeal followed.
After removal, orders issued by the state court are considered orders of the district court. Jackson v. Am. Sav. Mortg. Corp., 924 F.2d 195, 198 (11th Cir. 1991). This Court reviews for abuse of discretion the grant of a preliminary injunction. Cumulus Media, Inc. v. Clear Channel Commc'ns, Inc., 304 F.3d 1167, 1171 (11th Cir.2002). "When reviewing a district court's entry of preliminary injunction, we review findings of fact under a clearly erroneous standard, and conclusions of law de novo." Horton v. City of St. Augustine, Fla., 272 F.3d 1318, 1326 (11th Cir.2001).
As the district court stated, this case "is not about the wisdom of . . . [the] pat-down policy, whether the average Buccaneers fan supports or objects to the patdown searches, or whether a judge believes the pat-downs are wise." The issue in this case is whether Johnston's Fourth Amendment rights were violated by the pat-down searches.5
It is axiomatic that a search conducted pursuant to voluntary consent is valid. Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 93 S.Ct. 2041, 36 L.Ed.2d 854 (1973). Whether consent is voluntary is a fact question determined according to the totality of the circumstances. Id. at 2049-50; United States v. Blake, 888 F.2d 795, 798 (11th Cir.1989). Consent is determined on a case...
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Johnston v. Tampa Sports Authority, No. 06-14666.
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