City of Fairfield Civil Rights $1.2M Class Action Settlement, File By March 13, 2026 For Unlawful Jail Detention
The City of Fairfield and Butler County will pay $1.2 million to approximately 500 people who were arrested without warrants and held in jail longer than 48 hours without seeing a judge between February 1, 2017 and February 28, 2019. Every person who files a valid claim gets at least $500, plus extra money based on how long they were held. You must mail your claim form by March 13, 2026.
If Fairfield police arrested you during this time period and you sat in Butler County Jail for more than 2 days before your first court hearing, you likely qualify for money.
Who Gets Money From This Settlement
You qualify if all four of these things happened to you:
- Fairfield police arrested you without a warrant between February 1, 2017 and February 28, 2019
- You were held at Butler County Jail for more than 48 hours
- You did not see a judge within those 48 hours
- You were waiting for a Fairfield Municipal Court hearing (not held on other warrants)
The law says when police arrest someone without a warrant, that person must see a judge within 48 hours. Fairfield and Butler County didn’t follow this rule for about 500 people over two years.
One person was held for 5 days without a bond hearing. Another was held for 4 days before seeing a judge.
How Much Money You’ll Get
Every valid claim = $500 minimum.
After lawyers’ fees and court costs are paid, you get additional money based on how many hours you were held past the 48-hour limit.
Here’s how it works: The settlement administrator counts the extra hours you were detained beyond 48 hours. The longer you were held, the more you receive on top of the $500 base payment.
Special rule: If they released you on your own recognizance at your first court appearance, they multiply your over-detention hours by three when calculating your payment.
After the March 13, 2026 deadline passes, the settlement administrator will mail you a letter showing your estimated payment amount.
The total settlement is $1.215 million split as follows:
- City of Fairfield and Judge Campbell: $777,500
- Butler County: $437,500 (paid by CORSA insurance)
What Happened: The Lawsuit Explained
Two men, Anselm Caddell and Caleb Lawson, filed this lawsuit in 2019 after both were held at Butler County Jail for 4 days before their first Fairfield Municipal Court hearing.
They said Fairfield police, former Municipal Court Judge Joyce Campbell, and Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones violated the U.S. Constitution by not bringing arrested people before a judge within 48 hours.
The lawsuit became a class action in 2023, meaning it covered everyone this happened to between February 2017 and February 2019—about 500 people total.
The defendants denied doing anything wrong but agreed to pay $1.2 million to settle the case and avoid more legal costs. This is common in settlements: paying money doesn’t mean admitting fault.
How To File Your Claim (Step-By-Step)
Deadline: March 13, 2026 (postmark date)
Step 1: Get The Claim Form
- Download it at: https://fairfieldclasssettlement.com/
- Or call 877-315-9961 to request a mailed form
Step 2: Fill Out The Form
You need to provide:
- Your full name and current address
- Date you were arrested
- Date you were released or first saw a judge
- What charges you were arrested for
- Confirmation you were held at Butler County Jail
Step 3: Mail It By Deadline
Send completed form to: Fairfield Class Action Settlement Administrator c/o Rust Consulting Inc. – 9130 PO Box 2599 Faribault, MN 55021-9599
Must be postmarked by March 13, 2026. Late claims won’t be paid.
Step 4: Wait For Your Check
The settlement administrator verifies your information using official records from Fairfield Municipal Court and Butler County Sheriff’s office. If approved, you’ll get a check about 90 days after final court approval.
For help: Call 877-315-9961 (toll-free)
Settlement Documents
Official Settlement Website: https://fairfieldclasssettlement.com/
Download these official documents:
- Class Notice – Explains the settlement in detail
- Claim Form – What you must complete and mail
- Settlement Agreement – Full legal settlement terms
Case Name: Anselm Caddell, et al., v. Joyce Campbell, et al.
Court: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
What You Must Know
You Don’t Need A Lawyer
You can file the claim yourself. The class action lawyers already negotiated the settlement. Their fees come from the settlement fund, not from your payment.
Just complete the form accurately and mail it by the deadline. If you have questions, call the settlement administrator at 877-315-9961.
Missing The Deadline Means No Money
If you don’t postmark your claim by March 13, 2026, you get nothing. You also lose your right to sue Fairfield or Butler County for this detention issue.
The notice you may have received in the mail is not a check—it’s information telling you to file a claim.
The Settlement Closes Your Case
By accepting payment, you agree to release all legal claims against the City of Fairfield, Judge Campbell, and Sheriff Jones related to these detentions. This is standard in settlements.
You cannot sue them later for the same issue once you accept the money.
Tax Information
Settlement payments may be taxable income. The settlement administrator will provide IRS forms if required. Consult a tax professional about your specific situation.
How Payments Are Calculated
The $500 base goes to everyone with a valid claim. Additional money depends on:
- How many hours past 48 hours you were held
- Whether you were released on your own recognizance (ROR) at first court appearance (ROR cases get triple the hours)
- Total number of valid claims submitted
The more claims filed, the smaller each person’s additional payment (since the pot is fixed at $1.2M).
Similar Cases Show This Matters
The Brian Flores lawsuit update NFL petitions Supreme Court after losing arbitration battle January 2026 demonstrates ongoing civil rights litigation challenging institutional practices.
Civil rights settlements for unlawful detention typically range from hundreds of thousands to millions depending on how many people were affected and how serious the violations were.
What To Do Right Now
File Your Claim Today
Don’t wait. Gather any documents showing:
- Your arrest date
- Your release date or first court date
- Court paperwork from Fairfield Municipal Court
- Jail records if you have them
The settlement administrator can verify most details using official records, but documentation helps support your claim.
Get Help If Needed
Settlement Administrator Contact:
- Phone: 877-315-9961 (toll-free)
- Mail: Fairfield Class Action Settlement Administrator, c/o Rust Consulting Inc. – 9130, PO Box 2599, Faribault, MN 55021-9599
- Website: https://fairfieldclasssettlement.com
Rust Consulting Inc. handles all claim processing, verification, and payments.
When To Consult An Attorney
You don’t need a lawyer to file a claim. But consider legal advice if:
- You’re unsure whether you qualify
- You have questions about other incidents not covered by this settlement
- You want to “opt out” and sue individually (rare—usually not worth it)
- You want to object to the settlement terms
The Warren Sapp’s $20M lawsuit what really happened and why he’s suing shows how individual civil rights lawsuits can seek larger damages but require lawyers and carry more risk.
Questions People Ask
Who is eligible for the City of Fairfield settlement?
You qualify if Fairfield police arrested you without a warrant between February 1, 2017 and February 28, 2019, you were held at Butler County Jail for more than 48 hours, and you didn’t see a judge within that 48-hour period. About 500 people qualify.
What is the deadline to file?
March 13, 2026. Your claim form must be postmarked by this date. Late claims will not be paid, and you’ll lose your right to sue for this issue.
How much money will I get?
Everyone gets a $500 base payment. You get additional money based on how many hours you were held beyond 48 hours. If you were released on your own recognizance, your hours count triple. The exact amount depends on total claims filed.
How do I file a claim?
Download the claim form at https://fairfieldclasssettlement.com or call 877-315-9961 for a mailed form. Complete it with your arrest details and mail to: Fairfield Class Action Settlement Administrator, c/o Rust Consulting Inc. – 9130, PO Box 2599, Faribault, MN 55021-9599.
What documents do I need?
The claim form asks for your arrest date, release date, charges, and confirmation you were at Butler County Jail. The settlement administrator verifies this using court and jail records. Documents like police reports or court papers help but aren’t required.
When do I get paid?
Checks mail approximately 90 days after the court gives final approval to the settlement. Make sure your mailing address on the claim form is current.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. This is a claims-made settlement where you file directly with the settlement administrator. Class lawyers’ fees are already included in the settlement fund.
Last Updated: January 19, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the City of Fairfield civil rights settlement based on court documents and official notices. It is not legal advice. For questions about your eligibility or claim, call the settlement administrator at 877-315-9961 or consult an attorney.
Were you arrested and held without a court hearing? File your claim before March 13, 2026 to get your settlement payment.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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