When did I ask for money?! I asked for people to call their public servants (notice I didn't say MY public servants since I live thousands of miles away from Alpine) and demand their fellow citizen be allowed to present his case before his peers.
Attached is the MSJ in favor of the defense.
I saw that grape chimed in so I popped back on...
It was a summary judgement entered against you, not a dismissal via a motion to dismiss (had no issues opening the pdf). That means that the court looked at the evidence MOST FAVORABLE to you and still found that the facts supported a summary judgement in favor of the defendants. I cannot tell you how significant this is...I have not lost a summary judgement (and they are filed in ALL cases, just sometimes just as a hope and prayer to end the case). But when I write a complaint, I read it to see if the case actually has merit and that I have presented all the facts and evidence needed to pass through a summary judgement motion but not everything or every fact - I like to leave a little bit of surprise for trial.
One can get too emotional about their own case -- I have not filed several cases because, although I thought I had a valid claim, I did not think I would be able to show a judge enough evidence to get him to see it my way.
I do demand that plaintiff's get their chance in court ... but the law allows summary judgement and dismissals (and I have won several of both with counter-claims of defendants in my cases where I am the plaintiff---so it can be used to a plaintiff's "advantage" as well). Why should a case go to trial if the facts do not support a finding of guilt? I do support motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgement, and motions for acquittal.
I have won several cases as a defendant with these types of motions too...mostly against the government trying to get a speeding ticket or parking ticket fines (yeah, I'm reel dangerous lol). Ex. a speeding ticket .. cop gives testimony, I cross ... I don't see enough evidence to convict .. I motion for summary judgement/acquittal...I win, yea! I lose? Then I know the judge sees their case tilting toward a win for the state and I know that my presentation of the case best have some new evidence (other than my testimony which is tossed in the trash can in 99% of cases unless its an affirmative defense) or a good affirmative defense ready (which is sometimes the case).
I'm not a lawyer but over the years I have gotten decent ... if I have a good case with plenty of evidence, it usually swings my way. But I have had judges whose reasoning is like he's on coke. Had one judge, where I sued a IRS agent for destroying evidence, rule that that rules of employment that mattered were where the IRS agent worked, not where I was ... but then finally ruled according to the employment laws of where I was ... I filed a motion to reconsider pointing out his mistake but that was the end of that case. I could have appealed but I actually got what I wanted out of the case...an admission that the guy destroyed my records (the fed IRS issue was like $200 .. but the state IRS would have been 20K ... and the state did come-a-calling like 6 months later but agreed with me that the fed-IRS facts were based on evidence presented after they destroyed the evidence, duh and the state dropped their case. So I know all about being screwed over wrongfully. Had 3 cases where I thought I won but lost ... 2 were goofy opinions and one appeared to say that the judge simply did not believe me (sucks but that's his job I guess).
But I read the memo of the judge in your case and his reasoning is sound...sorry. In reality, even if the law was different in your state - the cop did not bonk you on the head or anything .. likely would have been a nominal amount anyway.
Some sue for principle; I'm not that guy...I sue for $$$. I have had folks rear end my car, look at him and notice that they have no money, and wish him a nice day. Ya cannot get blood out of a stone. Its only a car, right?
Good luck in the future ! And keep on carrying.