The payment of $1 million to settle pending litigation by the City of Jackson and Public Entity Partners – Cox vs. City of Jackson – was approved by the Jackson City Council during a special called meeting at Jackson City Hall, Tuesday.
The lawsuit regarded potential improper procedures involving criminal warrants in Jackson City Court.
Claims filed by eligible individuals with allegedly defective arrest warrants during a three-year lookback period from Jan. 18, 2016 through Jan. 18, 2019.
Terms for the qualified claims –
Detention in excess of 48 hours
Minimum payment for one day
Maximum payment of 21 days
Claims paid at the rate of $100 per day
Service award for the named plantiffs in the amount of $2,500 each
The plantiffs – Steven F. Cox, Kelly Freeman, Rufus Irving, Keith Fason, Ernie Kirk and David Nagi – upon court approval dismissed the lawsuit.
“After looking at various options … we recommended an agreement, not one that I’m happy about, but I think it’s our best way out to close,” said Lewis Cobb, attorney for the City of Jackson, “The process is, we’ve agreed to this, based on (City Council) approval, and based on the approval of the Federal Judge.”
City Councilman Harvey Buchanan was absent from the meeting.
“Today the city council voted 7-1 (David Cisco voted no) to accept the settlement before us – Cox vs. City of Jackson,” said Councilman Ross Priddy, “It’s evident we have issues with City Court, this wasn’t a happy thing to accept, but I think it’s the best option that we have on the table at the moment (and) we’ll see in the coming days how we can figure out and improve on the situation.”
(PHOTO: City Attorney Lewis Cobb and John Burleson, Spragins, Barnett & Cobb, PLC, address City Council members, Tuesday)
