Lexington police jailed people over unpaid fines and put 650 under warrants, DOJ found
On Oct. 16, 2026 the Justice Department announced an out-of-court settlement with the City of Lexington and its police department, following a September 2024 DOJ report that found the department engages in a pattern or practice of civil rights violations. AP reports the 2024 findings said officers discriminated against Black residents, used excessive force, retaliated against critics, and jailed people for unpaid fines without checking their ability to pay; the city court issued warrants for over 650 people for unpaid fines. The three-year agreement requires ending those practices, dismissing unlawful fine warrants, barring arrest quotas and DOJ-approved training. Neither DOJ nor AP reported any officer discipline or compensation for residents. City and police officials did not respond to AP. Days later the SPLC and ACLU of Mississippi sued on behalf of resident Terrance Gypson, alleging officer Robert Boyd tased and arrested him in May 2024 for recording police.
The agreement bars the Lexington police from continuing to jail people for unpaid fines
The latest lawsuit presents allegations that will be addressed in court.
the Department found that the Lexington Police Department (LPD) engages in a pattern or practice of civil rights violations
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