Thomas Dodrill v. Robert Ludt, Niles Police Department John A. Ross, Niles Police Department and City of Niles

Plaintiff Dodrill appeals from the District Court’s order granting summary judgment to defendants in this suit brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. We reverse.

In May 1982, Dodrill was arrested for possession of marijuana in violation of a Niles, Ohio municipal ordinance. Dodrill’s pretrial motion to prevent the marijuana from being introduced as evidence, due to an alleged fourth amendment violation, was denied. Dodrill was subsequently convicted by a jury in the Niles Municipal Court. The conviction was reversed, however, by the Ohio Court of Appeals which found Niles Ordinance 513.03, under…