A Bakersfield man allegedly beaten by deputies, filed a lawsuit against the Kern County Sheriff's Department on Friday.
Although criminal charges were never filed against the deputies, Jaime Duran is asking the civil courts to rule their actions unconstitutional. The suit claims Duran was arrested and beaten with no cause, and Duran wants a jury to rule on it.
Jaime Duran's attorney filed a civil suit Friday morning against the Kern County Sheriff's Department and two of their deputies, Aaron Nadal and Asencion Plaza.
It claims Duran was "intentionally arrested and beaten without justification."
"I think the people of Bakersfield, the County of Kern, deserve a lot better and we want to get some justice for our client, a big cup of justice," said Mark Algorri, Duran's attorney.
It happened in January 2012. Officials said Jaime Duran was chased by deputies after a truck near Duran burst into flames. They said Duran resisted arrest and was beaten. The suit alleges the deputies "struck and beat him without provocation."
District Attorney Lisa Green decided not to file charges because they could not get a conviction.
"We disagree with the analysis of the D.A. We think this would be a slam dunk conviction," said Algorri.
Duran's attorney said the "beating was a violation of Duran's constitutional rights."
"We want to see a jury trial and let a jury of 12 true and blue, give their verdict on the type of conduct they think is acceptable in the County of Kern," said Algorri.
The suit also alleges the Sheriff's Department failed to provide adequate training and discipline. Duran's attorneys aren't asking for a specific dollar amount, but in an interview in August, Duran told 17 News the beating destroyed him.
"I feel they ruined my life. I can't play football. I can't play soccer. I got a lot of post trauma. I can't sleep at night. I walk with a cane," said Duran.
Deputies Nadal and Plaza are still employed with the Kern County Sheriff's Department, but they are on paid administrative leave as the department conducts an internal investigation.