The Missouri Sheriffs’ Retirement System (MSRS) offers disability, retirement, and similar benefits to the state’s sheriffs and their beneficiaries. As per the organization’s website, they had offered benefits to 49 beneficiaries and 138 retired staff as of the end of 2018. Claims were made against the Missouri Sheriffs’ Retirement System that they were funded by unfair court fees. Two class-action lawsuits were bought against MSRS wherein the plaintiffs argued that they had to forcibly pay a $3 surcharge. The fee was structured on a similar surcharge imposed on criminal court proceedings. This fee was originally intended to support MSRS but was deemed unconstitutional by the Missouri Supreme Court in a June 2021 ruling. As per the high court, the surcharge violated a term in the Missouri Constitution that guarantees “justice shall be administered without sale, denial or delay.” The court found that the fee of 3 dollars imposed on the circuit and municipal court proceedings counts as a sale. Though the Missouri Sheriffs’ Retirement System has not admitted to any wrongdoing, they have agreed to resolve the claims of both the class-action lawsuits by paying $18 million. This settlement is expected to benefit individuals who paid a surcharge of $3 for resolving costs and/or a municipal citation in a circuit or associate court between 28th August 2013 and 1st August 2021.
Eligibility For Making Claim: Individuals who paid a surcharge of $3 for resolving a municipal citation are eligible to make claims under this settlement. The charges for coming to a resolution on the municipal citation should have been incurred in a circuit or associate court between 28th August 2013 and 1st August 2021.
Proof Of Purchase: The jurisdiction(s) or court(s) where the surcharge designated for MSRS or $3 fee was paid shall have to be identified as per the clauses mentioned in the Claim Form. These are considered to be a part of the court costs which have been imposed for getting a resolution of the municipal citation and/or costs levied by the circuit and associate courts. If you believe that you are a Class Member, then you can attest the same under penalty of perjury by signing the Claim Form. Doing this shall authorize the Claims Administrator to verify your claim by collecting information from the courts. At times, additional documentation might be required to be submitted in support of the claim made.
Potential Claim Amount: A pool of $18 million of which class members are eligible to receive $4.50 for every $3 surcharge paid on a municipal action between 28th August 2013 and 1st August 2021 and/or a circuit or associate court proceeding between 7th June 2016 and 1st August 2021.
Claim Form: https://msrssettlement.com/
Deadline for Submitting Claim: 03/07/2022
Final Hearing Date: 02/24/2022
Important Note: The last date for excluding oneself from or objecting to the class action settlement is 20th February 2022.