MARTINEZ – A 17-year-old girl has filed a claim against Contra Costa County alleging that probation officers at Juvenile Hall violated state and federal law by strip-searching her repeatedly.

Andrew Schwartz, the girl’s attorney, said the claim is a precursor to her becoming part of a federal lawsuit filed in June by a teenage boy who also says he was illegally strip-searched at the same facility.

Schwartz said Pinole police arrested the girl May 25 on suspicion of receiving stolen property. She was brought to Juvenile Hall, where the staff conducted “visual body cavity searches” — searches without probing equipment — on her at least five times, the claims says.

The claim alleges that officers strip-searched the girl when she returned from court hearings, after visits with her family and attorney, and again after a judge ordered her released.

“It’s egregious,” Schwartz said. “The probation department had a blanket policy to strip-search everybody before they returned to the (housing) unit.”

Lionel Chatman, chief county probation officer, said staff members see juveniles in the nude only when they enter the facility and during showers. Medical professionals sometimes inspect juveniles for health reasons, he said.

“I have yet to witness any (staff) giving a cavity search,” Chatman said.

California law prohibits most strip searches of juveniles arrested on suspicion of misdemeanors.

Authorities might search suspected felons, like the girl, if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that the search will produce drugs or weapons. The girl’s claim says the staff searched her without any such suspicion.

The claim also alleges the staff violated the girl’s right against unreasonable search and seizure. The Times is not identifying the girl because she is a juvenile.

Chatman said Juvenile Hall staff members conduct clothing searches after the young inmates meet with visitors, but not strip searches. Officers supervise each meeting to make sure weapons and drugs stay out of the facility