Jackson v. City of Birmingham, Alabama, et al.

On December 10, 2025, Marcus Jackson, a 32-year-old African American man, was pulled over by Birmingham police officers for an alleged broken taillight. The encounter escalated, and body camera footage showed officers using a taser and striking Jackson repeatedly, causing broken ribs and a concussion. Jackson was hospitalized. He filed a Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit against the City of Birmingham, Alabama, and the individual officers, asserting excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment, and a Monell claim for the city's failure to train and discipline officers. The case became a focal point for local activists demanding police reform. On April 20, 2026, the district court largely denied the defendants' motion for summary judgment, finding genuine disputes as to whether the force was excessive and if the officers were entitled to qualified immunity. Facing trial, the city agreed to a settlement on May 28, 2026, paying $4.75 million to Jackson and committing to policy changes including enhanced de-escalation training and body camera review protocols.

The case settled on May 28, 2026. The City of Birmingham agreed to pay $4.75 million in damages to Marcus Jackson and committed to implementing policy reforms, including enhanced de-escalation training, mandatory body camera activation reviews, and the creation of an independent civilian oversight board.

Whether the officers' use of force was excessive and objectively unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment; whether the City of Birmingham maintained a custom or policy of inadequate training that caused the constitutional violation; and whether the individual officers were entitled to qualified immunity.

The case reignited protests against police brutality in Birmingham and drew national attention. It prompted the U.S. Department of Justice to review the Birmingham Police Department's use-of-force policies. The settlement established a model for police reform agreements and influenced other cities in Alabama to adopt similar oversight mechanisms.