Sheehan v. San Francisco 49ers

October 10, 2007

Should San Francisco 49ers’ fans have to give up their privacy as the price of admission to the game? Dan and Kathleen Sheehan think the answer is no and have filed a lawsuit challenging the 49er’s policy, instituted in 2005, that requires every man, woman, and child attending a 49ers home game to submit to a pat-down search of their bodies. On March 2, 2009, the California Supreme Court rejected the 49ers’ claim that because our clients knew of the 49ers’ pat-down policy at the time they renewed their season tickets, they “consented” to the searches and therefore could not challenge the practice.  The case now goes back to San Francisco Superior Court where the 49ers will be required to prove that pat-downs are justified.

LEGAL DOCUMENTS
First Amended Complaint
Order Sustaining 49ers' Demurrer

Court of Appeal Documents
Plaintiffs Opening Brief on Appeal
49ers' Opening Brief on Appeal
Appellants' Reply Brief
Court of Appeal's Decision

California Supreme Court Documents
Sheehan's Petition for Review
49ers' Answer to Pet. for Review
Sheehan's Reply in Support of Review
Sheehan's Opening Brief
49ers' Answer Brief
Sheehan's Reply Brief
California Supreme Courts Opinion