Hatcher v. Consolidated City of Indianapolis

ARGUED MAY 16, 2002 Lee Hatcher filed a civil rights suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the City of Indianapolis and several individually named defendants (collectively the City) challenging his seizure and a search of his dwelling and seeking $1 million in damages. After a trial, the jury awarded him $18,908.50. Hatcher appealed to this court, and the case settled for $100,000 plus attorneys' fees while the appeal was pending. The district court then, under rather unusual circumstances, awarded Hatcher a fraction of the attorneys' fees he sought. He appeals, and the City cross-appeals the court's decision to grant certain costs to Hatcher. We vacate and remand for further proceedings.