Hightower v. Nassau County Sheriff's Dept.

• Position: ATTORNEY FEES - Brief Article

U.S. District Court

PLRA -- Prisoner Litigation Reform Act

Hightower v. Nassau County Sheriff's Dept., 343 F.Supp.2d 191 (E.D.N.Y. 2004). A pretrial detainee brought a civil rights action against a county sheriff's department and corrections officers, alleging excessive use of force. A jury entered a verdict in favor of the inmate and awarded damages. The damage award was reduced to $165,000 and the detainee's attorney fees were calculated. The defendants moved for reconsideration of the attorney fee award, under the provisions of the Prisoner Litigation Reform Act (PLRA). The district court held...