Filed Date: Dec. 8, 2014
Closed Date: 2015
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On December 8, 2014, an individual assessed a warrant recall fee by the City of Pine Line, Missouri filed this class action on behalf of herself and all others similarly situation in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County. The plaintiffs sued the City of Pine Lawn under state law. The plaintiffs, represented by ArchCity Defenders, sought declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, punitive damages, disgorgement, and attorneys' fees. The plaintiffs alleged that the City of Pine Lawn violated state law by mandating fees to recall warrants and that the fees were implemented deceptively and recklessly with the sole intention of generating profit. This case was assigned to Judge Ellen Ribaudo.
The plaintiffs sought to certify a class composed of citizens who paid warrant fees to the City and citizens who had pending fees with the City. The plaintiffs alleged that the warrant fee was prohibited by state law since it was not specifically enumerated as one of the proper fees to be charged by municipal courts. They also contended that the City had unjustly enriched itself by profiting from the illegal fees. The plaintiffs claimed that the City knew or had reason to know the fees were illegal. Thus, the fees were assessed recklessly and negligently. The complaint noted that the fees created financial and personal burdens for the plaintiffs. They created distrust in the community by leading to increased financial stress and incarceration for its residents.
On July 17, 2015, the plaintiffs’ first amended class action petition was approved. The parties voluntarily dismissed this case at a settlement conference on December 28, 2016 and the Court issued an order of dismissal without prejudice on January 26, 2017. We have no additional information about the settlement agreement.
This case is now closed.
Summary Authors
Salvatore Mancina (2/12/2017)
Hannah Greenhouse (3/20/2019)
Ammann, John J. (Missouri)
Campbell, John E. (Missouri)
Carroll, Nathaniel R. (Missouri)
Hanlon, Stephen F (District of Columbia)
Harvey, Thomas B. (Missouri)
Ribaudo, Ellen H. (Missouri)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:47 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: 2015
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Persons who were assessed warrant recall fees or had pending warrant recall fees by the city of Pine Lawn, Missouri.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Granted
Defendants
City of Pine Lawn, Missouri (Pine Lawn, St. Louis), City
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Unknown
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Issues
General: