City of New York $21.5 Million Central Booking Settlement

Individuals detained at a central booking facility in New York City between April 8, 2017, and Dec. 27, 2019 (for Brooklyn central booking), or between Feb. 3, 2020, and March 1, 2023 (for any central booking location), may be eligible to claim up to $475 per incident from a class action settlement.

The City of New York agreed to pay $21.5 million to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging it held individuals in unconstitutional conditions in central booking facilities. The lawsuit claimed these conditions violated detainees’ 14th Amendment rights.

Who can file an unconstitutional conditions claim?

Class members are individuals whom the City of New York detained at Brooklyn central booking between April 8, 2017, and Dec. 27, 2019, and/or those whom the city detained at any central booking location in New York City between Feb. 3, 2020, and March 1, 2023.

How much are settlement payments?

Each eligible class member can receive up to $475 for every qualifying time the City of New York held them in a central booking facility during the class periods. The total amount a class member may claim depends on the number of qualifying detentions.

How to claim a settlement payment

To receive a settlement payment, class members must file a claim online or print the PDF claim form on Page 11 of the settlement notice, complete it and mail it to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Central Booking Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch St., Suite 2210. Philadelphia, PA 19103

The claim deadline is Oct. 19, 2026.

Payout options

• PayPal
• Venmo
• Zelle
• Virtual prepaid card
• Check

Settlement fund breakdown

The $21,500,000 settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: Not specified
• Attorneys' fees and costs: Up to $2,950,000
• Service awards to class representatives: $650,000
• Payments to eligible class members: Up to $21,50,000

Important dates

• Deadline to opt out: Oct. 5, 2026
• Deadline to file a claim: Oct. 19, 2026
• Final approval hearing: Oct. 22, 2026

When is the central booking settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to approved claimants after the court resolves any appeals and the court grants final approval of the settlement.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The lawsuits alleged the City of New York subjected detainees at central booking facilities to unconstitutional conditions, violating their rights under the 14th Amendment.

The City of New York denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle the lawsuits to avoid the risks and expenses associated with further litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Settlement FAQ
3. Claim form