Two different cases in Baltimore have recently reached settlements, but both of the civil litigation suits require that the settlement amounts be approved by the city's Board of Estimates before being awarded -- the board will likely agree to the amounts.

In the first suit, a man was shot in the back by a Baltimore police officer near the Hamilton Park Shopping Center in January 2008. According to eyewitnesses, the police officer had searched the man thoroughly before he allegedly ran from the officer. In response, the officer fired on the man, killing him.

In June 2010, the police officer was charged with manslaughter but was acquitted at trial. Still, the family decided to file a suit alleging wrongful behavior on the part of the police officer and the city. Initially, relatives of the deceased were hoping to win $10 million with their lawsuit, but soon began to worry about the Maryland Local Tort Claims Act, which allows for a maximum of $200,000 to be awarded by juries when a local government is found responsible.

After three days, the civil trial ended with a $375,000 settlement. This is contributing to the $10.4 million that alleged police misconduct has cost the city in the past three years.

In the second suit, a lawyer with the Baltimore state's attorney's office joined the Army Reserve. After returning from six months of training, he was not allowed to return to his position. According to the lawsuit, the office violated the U.S. Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, which gives individuals who leave their occupation for military service the right to return to their job. A $36,600 settlement is set to be approved by the Board of Estimates in this case.

Both settlements are proof that the civil process can work for people or families who have been injured or discriminated against, even by government officials. Citizens should be able to trust their government to do the right thing, and when it doesn't it can be held accountable.

Source: Baltimore Sun, "City set to OK settlements in police shooting, Reservist's loss of job," Justin Fenton and Luke Broadwater, Dec. 12, 2011