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Keywords

lawsuitdefendantattorneycivil rights
lawsuitdefendantattorneycivil rights

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Mylett v. Jeane, 879 F.2d 1272, 14 Fed.R.Serv.3d 811

Facts

Christopher Mylett, a former police officer, brought a civil rights action against the City of Santa Fe and its officials after being discharged from his position. Mylett alleged that his termination was retaliatory, stemming from his previous lawsuit against the City of Pasadena. While employed by Santa Fe, a new residency ordinance was proposed that would disqualify officers living outside the school district, but it included a grandfather clause that would have exempted Mylett. The jury found that the ordinance was not intended to disqualify him personally.

Christopher Mylett, a former police officer, brought a civil rights action against the City of Santa Fe and its officials after being discharged from his position. Mylett alleged that his termination was retaliatory, stemming from his previous lawsuit against the City of Pasadena. While employed by Santa Fe, a new residency ordinance was proposed that would disqualify officers living outside the school district, but it included a grandfather clause that would have exempted Mylett. The jury found that the ordinance was not intended to disqualify him personally.

Issue

Did the jury err in finding that the city's residency ordinance was not intended to disqualify Mylett personally, and was the award of attorney fees justified?

Did the jury err in finding that the city's residency ordinance was not intended to disqualify Mylett personally, and was the award of attorney fees justified?

Rule

Analysis

The jury's finding was supported by evidence indicating that the residency ordinance was enacted to address public dissatisfaction with the police department and was not in effect at the time of Mylett's discharge. The grandfather clause further supported the conclusion that Mylett was not personally disqualified. The court's rationale for awarding attorney fees was unclear, necessitating a remand for clarification.

The jury's finding was supported by evidence indicating that the residency ordinance was enacted to address public dissatisfaction with the police department and was not in effect at the time of Mylett's discharge. The grandfather clause further supported the conclusion that Mylett was not personally disqualified. The court's rationale for awarding attorney fees was unclear, necessitating a remand for clarification.

Conclusion

The court affirmed the jury's finding regarding the residency ordinance but remanded the case for the district court to clarify its rationale for the attorney fee award.

The court affirmed the jury's finding regarding the residency ordinance but remanded the case for the district court to clarify its rationale for the attorney fee award.

Who won?

The City of Santa Fe and its officials prevailed in the case as the jury found that the residency ordinance was not intended to disqualify Mylett personally. The court also upheld the jury's decision regarding the lack of retaliatory motive in Mylett's termination, indicating that the defendants acted within their rights under the law.

The City of Santa Fe and its officials prevailed in the case as the jury found that the residency ordinance was not intended to disqualify Mylett personally. The court also upheld the jury's decision regarding the lack of retaliatory motive in Mylett's termination, indicating that the defendants acted within their rights under the law.

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