IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Settlement received final approval on February 24, 2026. The Order Granting Final Approval is available on the Important Documents page.
What is this Settlement about?
Plaintiffs allege that JCPD engaged in a pattern and practice of discriminatory conduct against women reporters of sex crimes that included declining to take certain investigative steps, intimidating and discouraging women in a manner that made them less likely to participate in the investigation and prosecution of the crimes against them, and closing cases prematurely and improperly. Plaintiffs allege that these practices amounted to a violation of Class Members’ civil rights.
Defendant denies Plaintiffs’ allegations. The Court has not decided who is right.
Who is included?
You are a Class Member, and are included in the Settlement, if you are a woman who reported sexual assault by any person to the JCPD from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022. This includes those who were minors at the time of their report.
How can I be eligible to receive a settlement payment?
Each Class Member has been identified through JCPD’s records and assigned a unique ID number by the Settlement Administrator. The Settlement Administrator is required to keep your information confidential and will use it only for purposes of administering the Settlement.
If you received a Notice and see a unique ID number and confirmation number in the top left corner of the first page of the Notice, you are an identified Class Member.
Payments from this Settlement are reportable to the IRS on a Form 1099-MISC. Backup withholding is required for payments issued without a valid SSN on file. Payments without a valid SSN on file will have 24% of the total amount withheld for tax payments to the IRS resulting in a reduction of the payment amount. Providing your SSN is optional.
To update your contact information or request a form of payment other than a mailed check, email the Settlement Administrator at info@jcpdclassactionsettlement.com.
Your Legal Rights and Options
These deadlines may be moved, canceled, or otherwise modified, so please check this site regularly for updates.
| Option & Due Date | Status | Event Description |
|---|---|---|
VERIFY YOUR INFORMATION AND COLLECT A PAYMENT | Explanation: If you are a Class Member, you will be paid an estimated $7,000. You will give up the right to sue the Defendant about the claims in this case. To update your information or form of payment, email the Settlement Administrator at info@jcpdclassactionsettlement.com. | |
EXCLUDE YOURSELF September 22, 2025 | Status: Passed | Explanation: You will not be included in the Settlement. You will receive no benefits and you will keep any rights you currently have to sue the Defendant about the claims in the case. |
OBJECT September 22, 2025 | Status: Passed | Explanation: If you do not exclude yourself and you disagree with the Settlement, you can write to the Court and object. |
GO TO A HEARING Scheduled for January 6, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. Eastern | Status: Passed | Explanation: Ask to speak in court about the fairness of the Settlement. |
