Missouri City Settles for $2.9 Million in Lawsuit Over Rights Violations and Excessive Fines

In a significant development, the city of Florissant, Missouri, has agreed to pay nearly $3 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of violating residents’ constitutional rights. The lawsuit, initiated by ArchCity Defenders, a St. Louis-based public interest law firm, was settled for $2.9 million as approved by a federal judge. This class-action lawsuit, dating back to 2016, highlighted the city’s practice of jailing residents and imposing hefty fines, often for minor traffic violations.

Florissant’s policing and court practices came under scrutiny following the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson in 2014, which raised questions about racial disparities in law enforcement. The settlement mandates significant reforms in Florissant, including the forgiveness of unpaid traffic violation fees from 2011 to 2019 and the assurance of legal representation for individuals facing municipal judges. More than 85,000 people affected by these practices between 2011 and 2023 are set to receive compensation from the settlement funds.

The lawsuit’s resolution in Florissant mirrors similar actions in other Missouri cities like Jennings, Normandy, and St. Ann, where class-action suits for comparable violations have led to settlements totaling $16 million. Despite these settlements, a related lawsuit against the city of Ferguson remains pending.