PORTLAND – A federal jury has determined that a Paris woman was not strip-searched at the Oxford County Jail in Paris in 2006, and cleared the jail, former Sheriff Lloyd “Skip” Herrick and a corrections officer of wrongdoing.

The U.S. District Court jury reached its decision against Ruth Ann Brazier, 53, of 196 Brett Hill Road after a two-day trial in late January, according to court records.

Brazier filed a civil suit in April 2007 claiming she was strip-searched on three occasions – once on April 25, 2006, after her arrest for operating without a license, and twice on May 9, 2006, after her arrest for failing to change her license within 90 days and violation of bail conditions, and after her initial appearance in South Paris District Court.

She charged her U.S. constitutional rights against unreasonable searches and seizures were violated, that Herrick and corrections officer “Jane Doe” were liable, and her bail rights were violated. She sought punitive damages from Herrick and the officer, according to the lawsuit.

“Obviously I was very disappointed with the decision,” said Dale Thistle, Brazier’s attorney.

He said inmates can only be strip-searched if they have been charged with a violent felony or a crime involving drugs, weapons, or other contraband. He said he thought he had presented a case that inmates are routinely strip-searched on admission to the jail and prior to and after district court hearings.

Thistle said he does not believe he will be able to appeal the case.

On Jan. 26, the court ruled Brazier’s constitutional rights were not violated, that Herrick and the officer were not liable, and no punitive damages were warranted.

Defense attorney Peter Marchesi asked the court to order Brazier to pay $753.60 for costs in the case, saying the amount is “extremely conservative” and limited to “costs that were necessarily incurred in this case.”