California Government Code 12989.2 – In a civil action brought under Section 12981 or 12989.1, if the …
In a civil action brought under Section 12981 or 12989.1, if the court finds that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the court may award the plaintiff actual and punitive damages and may grant other relief, including the issuance of a temporary or permanent injunction, or temporary restraining order, or other order, as it deems appropriate to prevent any defendant from engaging in or continuing to engage in an unlawful practice. In a civil action brought under this section, the court may, at its discretion, award the prevailing party, including the department, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, including expert witness fees, against any party other than the state. If the court finds that the defendant has engaged in an unlawful practice under this part and is liable for actual or punitive damages any amount due to the defendant by a state agency may be offset to satisfy the court’s final order or decision.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 46, Sec. 65. (SB 1038) Effective June 27, 2012. Operative January 1, 2013, by Sec. 140 of Ch. 46.)
Terms Used In California Government Code 12989.2
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Department: means the Civil Rights Department. See California Government Code 12925
- Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
- State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Government Code 18
- state agency: includes every state office, officer, department, division, bureau, board, and commission. See California Government Code 11000
- Temporary restraining order: Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.