Filed Date: Dec. 8, 2014
Closed Date: 2016
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On December 8, 2014, a Missouri resident filed this class action lawsuit against the City of Jennings in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, Missouri, under state law. The plaintiff, represented by the Archcity Defenders, sought injunctive and monetary relief, arguing the City charged a fee for each warrant issued through its municipal court, without authorization by Missouri law and in violation of a state statute that allegedly prohibited the charging of such fee. The plaintiff alleged he personally was charged a $50 fee on or about January 2009, for a warrant issued and later recalled through a municipal court, and that he paid the fee under the threat of losing the procedural right to be heard, being charged additional fees, and being incarcerated.
There is no information on what happened in the case between 2014 and 2016. On March 3, 2016, the court issued an order granting the plaintiff's motion for class certification. The certified class was defined as "All Missouri citizens who paid any Warrant Fee to the City of Jennings on or after December 8, 2009."
The parties entered into a settlement agreement on July 21, 2016. The City of Jennings agreed to create a settlement fund of $412,500.00 to pay (i) partial refunds to the class members, (ii) attorney fees of $137,500.00, and (iii) a compensation of $1,200.00 to the Class Representative. The City also agreed to review all fees charged by the municipal court within six months of final judgment and order approving the settlement, and to refrain from charging any warrant fee in the future unless authorized by state law.
On August 29, 2016, Judge Brian May approved the settlement and dismissed the case on the merits with prejudice. Each party paid its own costs and fees.
Summary Authors
Daniele de Oliveira Nunes (4/14/2019)
Goldman, Stephen H. (Missouri)
Ammann, John J. (Missouri)
Campbell, John E. (Missouri)
Hanlon, Stephen F (District of Columbia)
Harvey, Thomas B. (Missouri)
Goldman, Stephen H. (Missouri)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:45 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Missouri
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Fines/Fees/Bail Reform (Criminalization of Poverty)
Key Dates
Filing Date: Dec. 8, 2014
Closing Date: 2016
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Missouri residents who paid warrant fees charged by the City of Jennings
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
City of Jennings (St. Louis), City
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Amount Defendant Pays: 412,500
Order Duration: 2014 - 2021
Issues
General: