Preliminary settlement in Normandy ‘debtors’ prison’ lawsuit

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A federal judge has given preliminary approval to a settlement in a lawsuit that accuses the city of Normandy of exploiting primarily poor and Black people by jailing people who couldn’t pay excessive fines for traffic and other minor offenses. The ArchCity Defenders law firm said the settlement terms announced Tuesday could affect 23,000 people. Those affected by the ruling include people arrested or jailed in Normandy between Sept. 10, 2013, and May 12, 2021; anyone who paid fines or other costs to the city during that period; and those faced arrest warrants. An attorney representing Normandy did not immediately return messages seeking comment.