New York City bail over-detention class action settlement

Updates:

• Top Class Actions readers reported this settlement paying out up to $17,500 as of Sept. 22, 2023.
• Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got paid!

• The court granted final approval in this settlement July 11, 2023.
• Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Settlements & Payouts Facebook group.
• Late claims are being accepted through Dec. 12, 2023, if there is good cause for the class member submitting an untimely claim.

New York City agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims it delayed releasing individuals after their bail was paid.

The settlement benefits individuals who were in the custody of the New York Department of Corrections, who were released from custody at least once after their bail was paid and whose release was delayed between Oct. 4, 2014, and Oct. 21, 2022.

According to the class action lawsuit, New York City violated detainees’ constitutional rights by delaying their release after paying bail. The city allegedly ignored improvement suggestions and instead used a “confusion and perplexing” system to cause delays and over-detentions.

New York City operates a robust police department and department of corrections to detain and incarcerate arrested individuals. Some individuals may be released from custody after paying their bail.

The city hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay an unspecified sum to resolve these allegations.

Under the terms of the New York City bail over-detention settlement, class members can receive a cash payment of $3,500. 

In some situations, payments may be reduced to cover outstanding liens. For example, liens for New York City child support obligations will be deducted from bail settlement payments. Up to $500 may be taken from settlement payments to pay outstanding parking judgments owed to the New York City Department of Finance.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is June 6, 2023.

The final approval hearing for the New York City bail class action settlement is scheduled for July 11, 2023.

To receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by June 6, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals who were in the custody of the New York Department of Corrections, who were released from custody at least once after their bail was paid and whose release was delayed between Oct. 4, 2014, and Oct. 21, 2022

Potential Award

$3,500

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

06/06/2023

12/12/2023 (late claim deadline)

Case Name

Jones, et al. v. City of New York, Case No. 17-Civ-7577, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Final Hearing

07/11/2023

Settlement Website

NYCBailSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

NYC Bail Settlement – 7817
P.O. Box 2654
Faribault, MN 55021-9654
833-472-1994

Class Counsel

Matthew D Brinckerhoff
Debra L Greenberger
Julia P Kuan
Vasudha Talla
EMERY CELLI BRINCKERHOFF ABADY WARD & MAAZEL LLP

David Lebowitz
KAUFMAN LIEB LEBOWITZ & FRICK LLP

Defense Counsel

Office of the Corporation Counsel
NEW YORK CITY LAW DEPARTMENT