Trials & Litigation
Chicago Sees ‘Astonishing’ Drop in Suits Against Cops, Credits No-Settlement Strategy
The city of Chicago has seen an “astonishing” drop in lawsuits against police officers after it started trying cases that it once settled to avoid the expense of trial.
The city predicts that 50 percent fewer police misconduct cases will be filed this year, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Rather than settling, the city is sending smaller cases to outside lawyers who are paid $35,000 per case, plus a $15,000 bonus for a win.
Karen Seimetz, the city’s first assistant corporation counsel, sees a link between the drop in suits and the no-settlement strategy. “Over time, the word has gotten out,” she said. “We’re not settling cases like we used to.”
