Smith County $1.5M Jail Detention Class Action Settlement

Individuals held at the Smith County Jail for more than two days after completing their custodial felony sentence between July 11, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2024, may be eligible to claim at least $666.44 per day from a class action settlement.

Smith County agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it detained people beyond the end of their felony sentences. The plaintiffs claim this violated their constitutional rights.

Who can file a claim?

Class members must complete the following criteria:

• Smith County Jail detained them between July 11, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2024.
• They completed a custodial felony sentence during that period.
• Smith County Jail held them for more than two days after completing their custodial felony sentence.

The settlement administrator used the county’s records to identify eligible individuals and sent them notices.

How much can class members get?

Each eligible class member who submits a valid claim will receive a minimum of $666.44 for every day Smith County detained them beyond two days after completing their felony sentence. The settlement allocates $1,000,000 for class member payments.

How to claim a settlement payment

Class members can submit the online claim form. There is no PDF claim form. The claim deadline is Nov. 2, 2026.

Required information

To file an online claim form, class members must provide the class member ID and PIN from the settlement notice they received.

Payout options

The settlement administrator will mail checks to the address provided on the claim form.

$1.5 million settlement fund breakdown

The $1,500,000 settlement fund covers:

• Settlement administration costs: $500,000
• Service awards to class representatives: $15,000 ($5,000 each to three named plaintiffs deducted from the $500,000)
• Attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses: The remainder of the $500,000

• Payments to class members: $1,000,000

If the total amount of valid claims exceeds $1,000,000, the settlement administrator will reduce payments proportionally.

Important dates

• Deadline to opt out: Jan. 31, 2026
• Fairness hearing: Feb. 5, 2026
• Deadline to file a claim: Nov. 2, 2026

When is the Hughes v. Smith County payout date?

The settlement administrator will mail payments after it processes all claims and the court grants final approval of the settlement.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged Smith County detained individuals at the Smith County Jail for an unreasonable period after they completed their custodial felony sentences. The plaintiffs argued this violated the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Smith County denied all allegations but agreed to settle to provide compensation and avoid further litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Settlement agreement
3. Settlement FAQ
4. Key dates